The Toronto Maple Leafs are facing growing scrutiny amid a string of losses and inconsistent play in the 2025‑26 NHL season.
The team has dropped its last three regulation games including a 5-1 defeat to the Dallas Stars and a 4-0 shutout against the Washington Capitals, ending a 71‑game streak without being blanked.
Head coach Craig Berube had openly criticized the team’s execution calling the power play “God awful” and stressed the need for accountability. Off the ice, veteran NHL analyst Jim Matheson took aim at captain Auston Matthews and his leadership on X this weekend.
“As usual in Toronto they are saying it is coach problem and wondering if Berube has “lost the room?” Yeah, this Cup winning coach is exasperated,” Matheson wrote.
He insisted that while fans are quick to question Berube, Matthews also needs to “look in the mirror,” noting that John Tavares has been the team’s most consistent forward and even arged he still merits the captain’s “C” on his jersey.
“How about captain Matthews look in the mirror? Their most consistent F is Tavares, who should still have C on his chest.”
Auston Matthews has struggled to find consistency this season registering 14 goals and nine assists in 29 games with a points-per-game rate of 0.79, a noticeable drop from his previous elite scoring seasons. John Tavares, meanwhile, has recorded 14 goals and 17 assists in 35 games so far.
There seems to some tension between Leafs fans and their captain as well. In last week’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks, Auston Matthews faced boos from Toronto fans following a sluggish first two periods and after scoring a key goal, he cupped his hand to his ear in response.
It was widely interpreted as taunting the crowd though Matthews later described the reaction as being “in the moment.” The episode has fueled debate about his leadership and connection with the fan base during a difficult season.
Jay Rosehill comes in support of Maple Leafs’ head coach
Jim Matheson wasn’t the only one to defend Craig Berube. Former NHL enforcer Jay Rosehill has also spoken in favor of the Leafs head coach.
Speaking last week amid speculation about Berube’s job security, Rosehill called the idea of firing the coach a “disgrace” arguing that coaching is not the root of Toronto’s struggles.
“I’ve played for Craig Berube. He’s none of those things,” Rosehill said. “He’s straightforward. He’s honest. He’s not crazy negative. He’s not flipping tables and screaming in guys’ faces.”
Rosehill suggested the problem lies more with execution and player buy-in than coaching. He highlighted a pattern in Toronto where coaches often absorb blame when results fail to meet expectations.
“I think these next 24 hours are going to be.. something’s got to happen here,” he said. “And it’s probably going to be Craig Berube fired. And I think it’s a f***ing disgrace.”
The former NHLer who played the 2013-14 season with the Philadelphia Flyers under Berube described his coaching approach as simple and structured. He also shared that Berube is someone who doesn’t micromanage his skilled players once the team establishes fundamentals.
Toronto now sits near .500 at roughly 15‑15‑5 and will play the Pittsburgh Penguins next on Tuesday.
Edited by Anjum Rajonno
