Toronto Maple Leafs Are Embracing Toughness Under Coach Berube – The Hockey Writers – Toronto Maple Leafs

Now, just a few years from turning 80, I remember reading comic books as a youngster. One iconic ad on the last page of these comics was a classic Charles Atlas “97-pound weakling” story in comic strip form. In the ad, a skinny kid gets sand kicked in his face at the beach. However, instead of accepting defeat, the skinny kid transforms himself by following the Charles Atlas fitness program. Over time, he becomes a muscular, confident man who stands up to the bully and wins respect.

The Maple Leafs Have Been Labeled as Soft for Several Seasons

That ad was more than just a pitch for fitness. It worked because it symbolizes the idea that anyone can take control of their destiny and reinvent themselves through hard work and determination. Similarly, the Toronto Maple Leafs are making a similar transformation. After years of being labeled “soft” and pushed around, the team, under head coach Craig Berube, is adopting a new, tougher identity.

Related: Remembering Maple Leafs Tough Guy Jim Dorey

Just as the 97-pound weakling turned himself into a stronger version of himself, the Maple Leafs are embracing physicality, defending each other, and showing they can stand up to their opponents. Monday’s 5-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning exemplified that transformation. This season, Toronto is not just relying on skill but combining skill with grit and team unity, marking a significant shift in the team’s culture.

The Maple Leafs have long been criticized for being “soft.” However, that perception is changing under head coach Berube. The new coach has instilled a new focus on toughness and team unity, helping the team shed its old reputation. Like the ad where the weakling transforms into a confident, strong individual, the Maple Leafs now stand up for themselves. They are embracing a more physical style of play and showing they won’t be pushed around anymore.

Elliotte Friedman Talks About the Maple Leafs Recent Muscling Up

Elliotte Friedman recently joined The FAN Hockey Show to discuss how the Maple Leafs have started to change their physical identity under Berube. He noted that this shift was evident in the team’s 5-2 win over the Lightning.

Changing the Narrative of the Maple Leafs Softness

To make his point, Friedman first highlighted the problem by pointing to the infamous Brad Marchand play last November that caused many to call the Maple Leafs soft. For fans who might not remember, Toronto…