The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today the hiring of Marc Savard as assistant coach. With this hire, head coach Craig Berube's staff next season will consist of assistant 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 head coach with the Ontario Hockey League's Windsor Spitfires for two seasons and last season as an assistant coach with the Calgary Flames. In his two seasons with Windsor (2021-22 and 2022-23), Savard led the Spitfires to an 88-35 record, eight ties and five draws, including an appearance in the OHL Finals in 2022. A native of Ottawa, Ontario, Savard began his coaching career with the St. Louis Blues in 2019-20 prior to beginning his tenure with Windsor.
Savard was a highly talented playmaker at the height of his career, appearing in 807 games with 706 points and 499 assists before a career-ending concussion killed him. His best season was 2005-06, when he finished ninth in the league in scoring with 97 points.
What Savard brings to the Maple Leafs
Peter Baracchini of THW previously wrote an extensive article on why Savard could have a positive impact on a team. He felt the only issue that has plagued the Maple Leafs when it comes to numbers advantage is that their approach is too predictable. Whether it's relying too much on drop passes and not being fast enough on the way in, moving in the offensive zone, not attacking the middle, or always trying to find Auston Matthews for a shot or a one-timer, opponents know it.
The Maple Leafs start off strong and are an absolute threat on the power play, but then they stagnate and become patient. They look to make the perfect play and take chances, but they never create or get anything done themselves. The power play has proven to be dangerous, as we've seen with teams like the Edmonton Oilers, Colorado Avalanche, and Florida Panthers.
That's been an issue late in the season and into the postseason. Expect Savard to try to change that mindset. He has an approach that forces opponents out of their comfort zones and a perfect theory on how to run the power play.
