Kofi Inkoom
Guy Boucher’s tenure as an assistant coach for the Toronto Maple Leafs will be brief. On Saturday, the team announced that Boucher would not be returning next season.
Boucher had been away from coaching since 2019 before General Manager Brad Treliving recruited him last July to fill the gap left by Spencer Carbery, who departed to become the head coach for the Washington Capitals.
Given Toronto’s offensive strength, there were high expectations for Boucher to enhance an already formidable power play unit. However, the team saw a decline in performance, slipping from the second-best to the seventh-best power play, with their success rate dropping over two percent to 23.95% overall.
The situation worsened during the playoffs, where they managed only one goal in 21 power play opportunities against Boston, contributing significantly to their first-round elimination.
Boucher brings nearly six years of NHL head coaching experience, having spent parts of three years each with the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Ottawa Senators, amassing a record of 191-186-46.
The past few weeks have been eventful for Treliving and the Maple Leafs regarding their coaching staff. Craig Berube took over as head coach after Sheldon Keefe was dismissed following the first-round playoff exit.
Additionally, Lane Lambert was appointed as an associate coach earlier this month, replacing Dean Chynoweth, who was let go. Manny Malhotra, another assistant from last year, has since been hired as the head coach for AHL Abbotsford.
With Boucher’s departure, the Maple Leafs now have another assistant coach position to fill. Currently, Mike van Ryn remains the sole assistant from last season to continue on Berube’s staff.