Craig Berube unveils his top power play unit on Sunday.
The head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs unveils his top power play unit ahead of the preseason.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have just unveiled what will function as their top power play unit ahead of their first game in the National Hockey League's preseason, and unfortunately it has caused anger among some segments of the Maple Leafs fan base.
The news was first reported by TSN's Mark Masters who revealed on Sunday that Craig Berube would be sticking with the exact same power play unit that the Leafs used last season. That is to say a top power play unit that will feature captain Auston Matthews, forwards Mitch Marner, William Nylander and John Tavares, and defenseman Morgan Rielly.
The frustration is understandable given that it is coming from a fan base that was hoping to see significant changes within their favorite organization over the course of the offseason, significant changes that never truly came to pass. The status quo on the power play just represents more of the same, and that has left that very same segment of the fan base feeling very frustrated indeed.
That being said, I can't rightfully blame Berube for going with this power play unit given that it does clearly boast a group of the most talented players on the Maple Leafs roster, with it being difficult to make a case that any player should be sidelined in favor of another on the Maple Leafs roster.
Additionally, this is the preseason so Berube may be simply trying to evaluate what he has at his disposal before making changes further down the road should he deem them necessary.
That however hasn't stopped the outrage, here are just a few examples:
I think, at least for now, this guy is taking the right approach:
What do you guys think of this decision? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.