Berube’s Maple Leafs Challenge, Kämpf’s Crossroads & Third Line’s Chance

The Boston Bruins came into Toronto on a five-game winning streak and left with six. The Maple Leafs dropped a 5–3 decision that felt closer than the score suggests but still revealed some cracks in the team’s foundation. Head coach Craig Berube has now had a few weeks to size up what he’s working with — and what’s missing.

As the Maple Leafs push through November, the storylines are starting to take shape. The team has shown flashes of toughness, stretches of skill, and the odd burst of chemistry. But as Berube keeps reminding everyone, it’s about consistency — not flashes.

Kämpf’s Crossroads — A Quiet Break Between Player and Team

Between periods of last night’s game, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman shed new light this weekend on the curious case of David Kämpf, who remains suspended by the Maple Leafs after refusing to report to the AHL Toronto Marlies. This isn’t about injury or ego; it’s about principle. Kämpf, a proud veteran, has made it clear he doesn’t want to play in the minors again.

According to Friedman, Toronto and Kämpf’s camp have explored a mutual contract termination, but discussions have stalled over whether he should return part of his signing bonus. That’s pulled both the NHL and the NHLPA into the conversation, each protecting its side of the ledger. The hope is that it’ll be sorted by early next week.

For a player who once symbolized reliability and quiet professionalism, it’s a tough turn. Kämpf handled all the unglamorous jobs — the penalty kills, the defensive draws, the heavy shifts nobody notices. Those players don’t make headlines, but they win you hockey games. Yet in today’s cap world, even steady hands can find themselves on the outside looking in.

Berube’s Blueprint — Teaching Resilience, Not Just Preaching It

Craig Berube has seen teams collapse under pressure, and he’s seen others rise because they refused to quit. His early weeks behind the Maple Leafs’ bench have been about getting this group to find its backbone again. Toronto showed flashes of that grit last season — late comebacks, hard pushes when they were down — but they haven’t carried it forward yet.

Against Boston, they wobbled. A bad bounce here, a blown coverage there, and suddenly the Bruins had control. It wasn’t effort that was missing, but response. Berube’s challenge is to hardwire resilience into this team’s identity so it shows up naturally — not only when the crowd gets loud or the game’s already slipping away.

That’s not just coaching; that’s culture-building. And Berube knows culture isn’t built on slogans — it’s built on repetition and accountability.

The Third Line’s Chance to Define Itself

For now, the Maple Leafs’ forward lines are still in flux. The top six are set in theory, but the heart of this team might end up being the third line. Two of those third-line players (Nicolas Roy and Dakota Joshua) arrived this summer, which might be a blessing. They don’t carry the scars of playoff disappointment or the habits of the past. They’re trying to make their own space, their own identity — and that’s something Toronto needs.

If that line can find a rhythm, it gives Berube a backbone line he can trust in tough minutes. That’s what the Maple Leafs have lacked for years — not star power, but a dependable middle group that can hold the fort and set the tone.

Help for the Maple Leafs Is on the Horizon — and a Need for Urgency

There is some good news: Joseph Woll looks close to returning, and Chris Tanev has resumed skating. If both are back soon, the Maple Leafs might finally resemble the roster Berube imagined. A settled lineup could go a long way toward restoring confidence and structure.

But even with reinforcements coming, this group can’t afford to coast. Blown leads, passive third periods — those are habits of teams that wait for something to happen instead of making it happen. The Maple Leafs have enough talent to win, but talent doesn’t push back when the pressure rises.

What Comes Next for the Maple Leafs?

At some point, this team has to decide who it wants to be. The loss to Boston doesn’t define them, but it does underline the gap between where they are and where they need to be.

Berube’s stamp is starting to show, but the imprint isn’t deep yet. The Maple Leafs can learn from this stretch — not by blaming the schedule or the bounces, but by facing the mirror. The good news? It’s still November. There’s time to grow. The question is whether they’ll use it.