Craig Berube defends tactical decisions after Auston Matthews scoring dip

Former Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube defended his tactical decisions regarding Auston Matthews during a recent interview, addressing why the star forward’s offensive numbers dipped and why he was deployed heavily in defensive situations. Speaking on TSN 1050 on Monday, Berube explained that his system required a commitment to a two-way game from the entire roster, even if it meant sacrificing offensive zone starts for his marquee players.

Matthews experienced a difficult 2025-26 campaign that saw him finish with career lows of 27 goals and 26 assists across 60 games. The drop-off followed a 69-goal, 107-point season prior to Berube’s arrival in Ontario. Alongside the scoring decline, injuries disrupted the center’s trajectory for a second year, culminating in a torn medial collateral ligament following a hit from Anaheim’s Radko Gudas.

Despite the offensive regression, Berube maintained that his overarching philosophy required elite players to shoulder defensive responsibilities. According to the coach’s appearance on TSN 1050, the deployment strategy was intentional.

Personally, I believe multiple physical ailments over the past couple of seasons and similar issues played a major role in slowing down Matthews the last few years, which negatively impacted his ability to score goals. But listen, I was trying to instill a 200-foot game for everybody. And given that he matched up against top units, my reasoning behind having him take a higher volume of defensive-zone draws than usual came down to that exact thought process. And, you know, I stick by my guns.

Craig Berube via TSN 1050

Berube added that Matthews and William Nylander received more defensive-zone faceoffs than anyone else on the roster last season, matching them regularly against opposing top lines. At the same time, Berube noted that Matthews still received ample offensive zone starts compared to the rest of the team.

The coaching strategy extended beyond the center position. Reports from Daily Faceoff indicated that several wingers felt restricted by a system that emphasized dumping the puck in over creative entry plays, fearing punishment for taking risks at the offensive blue line.

Berube acknowledged those tactical preferences directly, framing his north-south approach as a proven formula for success.

My mindset when stepping into that role was centered around establishing a distinct philosophy focused on a direct style of play, moving the puck past opponents, and aggressively pursuing the forecheck. When analyzing teams like Carolina and Florida, along with our championship run in 2019, a key takeaway was our ability to avoid turnovers. Getting pucks deep, establishing a relentless forecheck, and applying constant pressure were foundational elements I aimed to integrate into the identity of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Craig Berube via TSN 1050

The combination of injuries, system constraints, and a depleted roster eventually caught up with Toronto. The Maple Leafs finished last in the Atlantic Division with a 32-36-14 record, missing the postseason for the first time since 2016, a year after reaching the second round under Berube.

The team’s struggles also impacted defenseman Morgan Rielly, who finished the 2025-26 season with 11 goals, 25 assists, and a minus-18 rating across 78 games. Berube expressed confidence in Rielly’s character and anticipated a rebound for the longtime defenseman.

Following the dismissal of Berube at the end of last season, the Maple Leafs secured the first overall pick in the draft lottery, selecting Gavin McKenna, and made additions including Sergei Bobrovsky and Darren Raddysh under Jim Hiller. Berube, who won a Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues in 2019, remains out of an NHL coaching position.