Maple Leafs Hire Marc Savard as Assistant Coach – Hockey Writers – Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that Marc Savard has been hired as an assistant coach. The hire completes head coach Craig Berube's staff for next season, including teammates Lane Lambert, assistant Mike Van Ryn, goaltending coach Curtis Sanford, and video coaches Jordan Bean and Sam Kim.
Savard joins the Maple Leafs after serving as an assistant coach with the Calgary Flames last season, following two seasons as head coach of the Ontario Hockey League's Windsor Spitfires. During his two seasons (2021-22 and 2022-23) in Windsor, Savard guided the Spitfires to an 88-35-8-5 record and an appearance in the OHL Finals in 2022. The Ottawa, Ontario native began his coaching career. and St. Louis Blues in 2019-20 before starting his tenure in Windsor.
Savard was a very successful player during the prime years of his career. In 807 games he played he had 706 points and 499 assists, before the chaos forced him to the end. His best season came in 2005-06 when he finished ninth in the league with 97 points.
What Savard Can Bring to the Maple Leafs
THW's Peter Baracchini wrote an earlier article explaining how Savard could have a positive impact on the team. He felt that the thing that always bothers the Maple Leafs about winning a man is that he is very predictable when it comes to his approach. Even thought; using the drop pass too often and not generating enough speed on the inbounds, moving in the offensive zone, not attacking the middle or constantly trying to find Auston Matthews for a shot or one time, opponents have taken notice.
The Maple Leafs are starting to get hot and very dangerous on the power play, but they are steady and patient. They are looking for a good performance and a chance to emerge but they are not creating and doing something for themselves. The power play has proven to be dangerous against the likes of the Edmonton Oilers, Colorado Avalanche and Florida Panthers.
That became a problem late in the season and in the postseason. Look to Savard to try to change that mindset. He has a technique that can take them out of their comfort zone, and he has a perfect idea of how his power play should be executed.
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