After the Leafs fired Craig Berube yesterday, the natural question is now what? All the experts on executive search processes are ready to rate the search again – the Athletic should come up with ranking scale, really dig into the numbers and quantify the people interviewed and compare it to other teams.

But seriously, what we will get is that a bunch of names will be mentioned speculatively, which will be repeated as a rumour, which will then become truthy, and when Mike Gillis isn't the new coach, the questions will be asked why the Leafs didn't hire Doug Armstrong.

My speculation is as follows: the Leafs will interview a lot of coaches. They will interview Bruce Cassidy. And what you need to do is think of these interviews like Brad Treliving's speculative calls about trades. They are information gathering exercises as much as genuine expressions of interest.

Concurrently the Leafs will talk to most of the players, and with Auston Matthews fairly soon.

And also concurrently some changes in the front office will happen. No, I don't know who, and guessing seems a bit silly considering we know next to nothing about these people. There certainly exists the chance that someone they talked to already might get hired for some other job that opens up. There also exists the possibility they start interviewing for new people at the AGM level.

And at the same time, the scouting staff has a big job to keep working on, and their methods will come under scrutiny and there might be some suggestions there on how they quantify their choices.

It's a big job. My final word on Berube is this: yes it was obvious he should be fired. I could not imagine a world where John Chayka wanted to keep him. The only question was if he was allowed to make the call, and now we know.

If you want the transcript of the media scrum yesterday:

John Chayka on whether Auston Matthews’ future impacted the decision to fire Craig Berube: “None. Zero.”
After the decision to relieve Craig Berube of his head-coaching duties, GM John Chayka discussed the process behind the decision, the start of his search for a new head coach, whether any players were consulted, and the plan to meet with Auston Matthews. Chayka’s Opening Statement Chayka: I just want to start out by thanking […]
Maple Leafs HotstoveMLHS Staff

I like to actually watch these things because how people say things matter.

This is good, although I disagree with the way he sees Berube's usage of Domi:

Why firing Craig Berube gives Leafs, Chayka a chance at a new era
Justin Bourne shares eight thoughts on the Maple Leafs’ decision to fire Craig Berube as head coach, and how it gives the team a chance to establish a new era.
Sportsnet.caJustin Bourne

Good heavens, do they realize Vegas hasn't been eliminated?

Golden Knights’ McNabb to have hearing for hit on Poehling
Vegas Golden Knights defenceman Brayden McNabb will have a hearing Wednesday for his hit on Anaheim Ducks centre Ryan Poehling on Tuesday, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced.
TSNTSN.ca Staff

Wow, a suspension:

The Calder goes to – you'll never guess.

Stick tap to the Habs beat writers for not doing a stupid thing here. Although Demidov over Dobes is not how I'd vote. My very barely informed vote would be: Schaefer, Sennecke, Dobes, Demidov, Kindel. I don't think you can overlook how rare a goalie as a rookie having a season like Dobes truly is.

The PWHL officially expanded to two more teams. One more is reported to be coming (San Jose).

PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S HOCKEY LEAGUE EXPANDS TO LAS VEGAS AND HAMILTON, ONTARIO WITH 2026-27 SEASON DEBUT
Press conferences to take place in Las Vegas (today at 1 p.m. PT / 4 p.m. ET) and Hamilton (Thursday at 10:30 a.m. ET)NEW YORK AND TORONTO (May 13, 2026) — The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) today announced expansion to Las Vegas, Nevada and…
Professional Women's Hockey League

The Marlies are back to work tonight in Cleveland at 7 pm. So go Marlies.

And that's it for now.

From The Branches