Maple Leafs' coach Craig Berube left flabbergasted by reporter's ridiculous question

Craig Berube most likely knew what was in store for him when he agreed to take on the head coaching role with the Toronto Maple Leafs. With a stellar background that included winning a Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues in 2019, and plenty of experience as a player.

The Toronto media is known for being among the hardest around, especially when it comes to the extra pressure that comes from the Maple Leafs' fan base. In an interview given after the game last night, Berube experienced that pressure for the first time.

After their preseason loss to Ottawa on Tuesday, Berube was asked in an interview how concerned he is about the team and whether panic was about to break out. It didn't take the Maple Leafs media long to get under his skin.

Berube's expression, which was a mix of shock and humor, said it all.

With only seven NHL regular season games under his resume, Alex Steeves was the only member of the Toronto Maple Leafs to score in their most recent game against the Ottawa Senators. Nevertheless, a number of well-known players were missing, including Mitch Marner, John Tavares, Auston Matthews, and others.

Their absence was a major factor in the performance, but it did not stop the media frenzy from starting. Berube replaces Sheldon Keefe, who was fired after the Maple Leafs' 2024 playoff exit to the Boston Bruins was yet another disappointing one. Both the front office and the fervent Toronto fan base are looking for postseason success, so Berube will have to provide it.

While defeats in the preseason don't necessarily indicate trouble ahead, Berube is well aware that the playoffs will determine the team's final standing. He's taking it all in stride now, but when the regular season approaches, that's when the real difficulties begin to appear.