Craig Berube's 'carefree' attitude could land Toronto Maple Leafs in trouble – The Hockey Writers – Toronto Maple Leafs

While I respect Eakins' hockey intelligence, I can't help but doubt his opinion. Yes, the Maple Leafs probably hired Berube because he had a reputation for being responsible. But even so, can an NHL head coach afford to not care what others think? If Berube really doesn't care, the Maple Leafs could be heading for a dark side.

First of all, it is appealing to hear that Berube does not care what others think

The claim that Berube doesn't care about the opinions of others may sound appealing at first. It paints a picture of a fiercely independent coach, willing to make difficult decisions and tackle challenges head-on. But if that's true and Berube doesn't care about the opinions of others, it seems like a recipe for bad coaching and poor decision-making. Can a coach, especially one as experienced as Berube, really operate without considering the thoughts and opinions of those around him?

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First, let's look at the coach-player relationship. Communication is the foundation of any successful team, and part of that communication is understanding what the players are thinking and feeling and responding to it. When a coach gives instructions about the defensive system he wants or suggests improvements to the team's attacking flow, those instructions are two-way streets. Players' feedback, their body language, and even unspoken reactions are critical to receiving and implementing those instructions.

If Berube really didn't care about what his players were thinking, he wouldn't double check to make sure messages were being received and understood. This discrepancy could lead to confusion on the ice when players and coaches aren't on the same page. As an old Monty Python sketch once said, it would be like a 100-meter dash for people with no sense of direction. Players could eventually become confused or even refuse to execute the game plan.

To work with his coaches, Berube must care enough to listen to them

Furthermore, the idea that Berube could completely ignore outside opinions is inconsistent with the collaborative nature of professional sports. Coaches must work closely with their staff, management and leadership groups to refine strategies, adjust lineups and navigate the challenges of the season. They must also listen to their medical staff to see if a player can play anywhere near 100 percent. All of that is important and requires being concerned about what others think.

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A coach must be open to feedback and willing to adapt to the suggestions of others. Blocking out all outside perspectives could isolate Berube and cause him to lose touch with the team's dynamics and needs.

Finally, it is risky to overlook the reality of today's NHL. An NHL team is a community-based enterprise and must respond to the community. In Toronto, the intense media scrutiny and high expectations from fans of leading a franchise with the Maple Leafs' history mean that a coach must be very aware of the larger context in which he works. While that doesn't mean letting public opinion sway him, it does mean understanding and acknowledging the pressures and expectations that shape the team's environment.

There will be times when Berube will need to defend his players, or at least refrain from publicly attacking them. Ignoring these factors could lead to missteps that impact the team's performance and damage Berube's relationship with the organization and its fan base.

Conclusion: Berube has to care about what others think

The fact is, Eakins probably didn't mean exactly what he said. Or he was indulging in hyperbole in making that statement. He certainly didn't choose his words carefully, and it's the kind of hyperbolic talk that's common in the world of sports.

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But what if we took Eakins at his word? The idea that a coach who doesn't care about what others think can succeed is false. While that may sound intriguing, it's just not practical in the NHL, where the stakes are so high. I don't believe it.

A successful coach like Berube must balance his beliefs with a keen awareness of the thoughts and feelings of his players, staff, management team and the broader Toronto community. This balance is key to success on the ice. Ignoring the opinions of others is a dead end.

If Eakins is right that Berube “doesn’t give a damn” what people think, then the Maple Leafs are in for a lot of trouble.