Elliotte Friedman joins to talk Maple Leafs firing Craig Berube, latest on Bruce Cassidy and more

All right, joining us now to discuss this, our NHL Network Insider, Elliott Freedman.And Elliott, you know, I'm not necessarily surprised at this, but I always think it's a little tricky for a new general manager to come in and the first thing he has to do is fire the head coach.So I do think that was, you know, something of interest.What did you make of this news this morning?

I wasn't hugely surprised, EJ.You know, I have to say this, like, I know I understand exactly what you're saying, because I do think if you know you're on the way out, like Doug Armstrong is handing the baton in St. Louis to Alexander Steen.And the one thing I liked about what Doug Armstrong tried to do around the trade deadline was he was prepared to do some heavy lifting so Alexander Steen wouldn't have to do it.And I liked that.I really thought that was a nice move.But I also feel you can't be afraid of coming into something and making changes that you see necessary.

If you think like, oh, we don't want this person to have the responsibility, then on some level, you're admitting that this person can't do it, right?So I think there's something fair about like I heard in the interview process, Keith Pelly, who runs MLSC, he he likes Craig Berube.I think that's pretty common knowledge in the market.And he was very respectful to Craig Berube.But he said the decision would be left to the new manager.And, you know, I think one thing that's interesting is that there's been some reporting that Berube actually felt quite good about the meetings on the weekend.

Obviously, the Maple Leaf Brass felt differently.And I thought it was really interesting that in both the statement and the clip John Jacob took pains to mention this was an organizational decision not a coaching decision because as much because we've got a lot of respect in the league and how he would be treated here on the way out would definitely be noted.

Elliott we're starting to see a little bit more of theget involved in almost management decisions good or bad.I know a lot of people say that's not good.You can't let the inmates run the asylum so to speak.But how important is that we and John check it said he spoke with players.So how important is it that the players have not necessarily a say in who's hired but a say in the direction the team's going to go as far as the philosophy of the way they're going to play.

Well Dave, I know Mark Crawford always said that you ran that Colorado Ruin, so that might not necessarily be a new thing.

Well it wasn't wrong, it wasn't wrong.But that's in the room.Once it's set, you're in the room.Players run the room, there's no question.I don't know if that's true or not, but in my case, you get some pretty serious guys in that room.But players do run the room, and you hear John Turturella talk about in the playoff post.

Yes.All the time.He's like that's up to them.That's their responsibility.That's their responsibility.But the responsibility of management is to bring in the coach that now allows the players to run the room.

Just don't let him touch the whiteboard is what most coaches.And obviously I was just bustling your day.

I was just busting your day.I know what a powerful, what a great voice you had when you were a player.Very, very strong voice in a good way.But I think, look, like he was asked specifically about that, Chayka, and he said the players had no vote, none.But I think in this day and age, you know, the one thing we're seeing in Chayka is two big media availabilities so far.When the first time they were asked about Berube when he was introduced, he made sure to protect them, say we got good things said nothing bad about Berube and then until he made the decision.

And today he made sure he protected the players.I think Dave, you and EJ, you guys are both smart enough to know that I don't think you can in this day and age,the players have more power than ever.I don't think you can ever give them the power to hire and fire the coach, but I think you do have to listen to them.And he hasn't met face -to -face with Matthews yet.The schedule hasn't allowed it, but he has met with some players, some of the ones who are around Toronto, I believe.

So I think he had an idea.of how everybody felt about the season.Do I think the players made the decision?No, I don't.But I think you're being naive in this day and age if you're not thinking that the players at least get their say on how they felt about the season, particularly important veterans like Tanev and Tavares and Nylander.

Yeah, I would agree with that wholeheartedly, Elliot.Let me ask you, just listen, Bruce Cassidy's name is going to come up for any coaching job.He's probably number one on the list right now of guys that have had success and would be likely to be the next guy.And here's some coaches that, you know, we see Peter Lavillette, David Carl.I mean, listen, he's up high on the list.John Blosky, who has coached the women's team, did a great job with the program.

Jay Woodcroft, Alex Tango, our former colleague.I think Alex Tango would be a great head coach somewhere.But let me ask you, like, just give me some clarity.this whole Bruce Cassidy story with Vegas because it's been a little murky over the last what 24 hours about whether or not he they were asked permission and if they gave permission and because I don't know if I see Bruce Cassidy actually being a great candidate for Toronto in particular but give me your just what's the clarity on his situation Okay, so let's unpack it, EJ.

First of all, I agree with you.I think Cassie's the number one name on the coaching board right now.

I think he's the best coach available.

I would suspect that he wants to go to a winner fast.So if you were to rank the teams that are currently available, well, I mean, Edmonton is not currently available, but I think that's going to happen.Unfortunately, it just looks the way this was handled.was a fumble.LA, Toronto, I would bet that Cassidy probably ranks them Edmonton number one, because they're the closest to winning.So I think we probably wait to see when and if that becomes open, but I think Cassidy would interview anywhere he was asked to interview.

The whole LA thing, John Rosen, who formerly was the LA Kings insider, he reported.They spoke to Cassidy last week.All I've been told is as of last night, the Golden Knights hadn't granted the Kings or the Oilers permission.I don't want to get into a fight with John Rosen.He's a really good reporter.And I also know that we get tripped up by semantics here from time to time.

So I'll just leave that where it is. I think this.Vegas before, in at least one case, and I believe it was an AHL coach, they blocked an AHL coach from getting an NHL job.Now, I don't think it was an NHL head job, but it was an NHL assistance job.So they've done things like this kind of before.I think at the end of the day, after their series with Anaheim or whatever it is, the permission will likely be granted.But and I would think that Cassidy is going to be at the top of the list.

I think he'll interview anywhere that asks for him.But I got to think that if he does want to win as much as he says he does and said it publicly, I got to think that Edmonton is probably the top on his list.And it's very clear the Oilers are interested in him.

Yeah, it's certainly interesting times with the coaching carousel and certainly with Edmonton, who currently, as we speak, does not have an opening right now.They still have Chris Knobloch.We'll see how that unfolds over the next several minutes, hours, days as we move forward.Elliot, thanks for the time today, buddy.I know you're busy and we'll be talking to you at some point soon, I'm sure.

Yeah, E .J., no disrespect to you.I know Dave ran the avalanche, but you run the show.

I just want everyone to know that.Well, hey, listen, there's no disrespect taken.I mean, that's obviously true.So thank you.Thanks, Elliot.We'll see you soon, buddy.

All right, guys, always great to chat with you both.