While he’s quite busy with his first season coaching the Toronto Maple Leafs, Craig Berube still finds a little time to check on the team that gave him his start both on the ice and off it.
That would be the Flyers, who play the Leafs twice in three days this week.
Berube, 59, first made his mark in the National Hockey League while playing for Philadelphia back in the ‘80s and ‘90s and later with his initial head coaching stint from 2013 to 2015.
So he does hold a special place in his hockey heart for the orange, black and white.
The way coach Berube — who won a Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues in 2019 — sees it, his old team is on the right track as it continues a rebuild under the triumvirate of coach John Tortorella, general manager Danny Briere and president of hockey operations Keith Jones.
Although the Flyers have missed the playoffs four straight seasons and currently are not in a projected postseason spot, Berube believes the team is headed in the right direction.
A combination of developing young players and Tortorella’s penchant for making all players accountable is the proper game plan, according to Berube.
“I think that their coach really drives their team,” Berube said in a telephone interview. “They don’t cheat you. They’re going to give you an effort every night. They’re going to give you the compete, they’re doing all those things very well as a team.
“They’re not an overly talented team. They just give you effort, they compete every night.”
The arrival of Russian prospect Matvei Michkov, who’s been leading the NHL rookie scoring list, has put a spotlight on what the Flyers are trying to accomplish – namely sustainable success, not just a trip to the playoffs every so often.
“He’s doing pretty well, scoring, doing his thing,” Berube remarked. “And they have a lot of young players coming. Also, they’re going to get more draft picks. It takes time.”
Keep in mind, Briere and Jones have only been in their respective drivers’ seats for two seasons. Sometimes it might take an NHL team a generation to figure things out.
“You know, Flyers fans, I get they can become impatient,” Berube said. “I was impressed those guys (Briere, Jones) last summer didn’t just go out and sign free agents. I wouldn’t either. Because that’s a waste.”
In Berube’s opinion, there’s a time and place for everything. In this case, deal from a position of strength.
“When you get to the point where more young guys are in the lineup and they’ve developed a little bit, that’s when you jump on some free agents and build your team,” the coach said.
To almost no one’s surprise, Berube has come into Toronto and done the old “culture change” thing. As of Friday, the Leafs sat atop the Atlantic Division – ahead of defending Stanley Cup champion Florida – and were fourth overall in the NHL.
Berube has seen what Tortorella & Co. are trying to build and he thinks he’s the right fellow for the Flyers at this time and place.
“I think they’re going about it the right way,” Berube said. “And they’re doing a good job.”
The coach has faith in Briere’s vision for the future, too.
“Depending on the year and how it goes, when the trade deadline comes around, they’re probably going to move some players if they’re not in a good position for playoffs,” Berube said. “So they’re probably going to get more picks.
“And it’s not about using all your picks. It’s about. . .you get the picks, get your team that you think is ready to make the next step, then you use the picks to get players.”
Besides the 20-year-old Michkov, Berube has been impressed with other youngsters such as Morgan Frost and Tyson Foerster.
“I watched Frost last year, I could see the ability,” the coach said. “How he sees the ice and makes plays. I think it’s just a matter of getting him competing at a higher level. He has the ability to make plays. That’s important at that center ice position.
“Foerster is a guy who has the potential to be a 30-goal scorer in the NHL. With the right people around him, he’s got a bright future.”
Flyers leading scorer Travis Konecny has also caught Berube’s eye.
“You don’t get a guy like that too often,” the coach said. “He competes so hard, scores goals, drives your team. Hell of a player.”
Berube also praised the work of top defensemen Travis Sanheim and Cam York. As for the goaltending situation, it all comes down to health and experience for Swedish netminder Samuel Ersson and Russians Aleksei Kolosov and Ivan Fedotov.
“The two Russian goalies they have look like they have good potential,” Berube said. “They’re big but they’re put in the fire already and maybe they’re not ready for it. It’s nobody’s fault. I thought Ersson made some good steps for them last year. Goalies need time to develop in the minors.”
Tortorella’s approach also gets Berube’s seal of approval.
“He makes his players accountable,” Berube reiterated. “It’s a big part of coaching. And you want your players to hold each other accountable.
“If you want to win in this league, that level has to be there. If it’s not, it’s going to be hard for you to win.”
During the holiday break, Berube had a chance to get back to his offseason home in New Hope to visit family and friends. Just talking with Flyers fans in the area, he senses most are willing to remain patient and see how this all plays out.
“That’s one thing about ‘Torts,’ he’s never going to let his foot off the gas,” Berube said. “He’s going to keep pushing guys. That’s his strength. He doesn’t mind mistakes but if they’re from a lack of effort, you’re going to have a problem with him.
“I think the fans like the style of play. Philly’s a blue-collar town. That’s the thing I like about Danny, Jonesy and Torts, they’re bringing the hard-working style of hockey back to Philly. That’s important. Skill’s important but so is hard work. I think that’s what they’re trying to instill. That shows real promise for the organization.”
