In part two of our series on possible head coaching candidates for the Ottawa Senators next season, we turn our attention to 2019 Stanley Cup winner Craig Berube.
When DJ Smith was relieved of his coaching duties on December 18th, the first name that came to mind as a successor was former Blues' head coach, Craig Berube, who had been relieved of his duties in St. Louis five days prior.
Some may have even wondered if Berube would have been airlifted in to take over right away. Though that did not happen, Berube is still a free agent and will surely get a good long look from Staios and company.
Unlike Guy Boucher, DJ Smith, or even John Gruden, Berube transitioned immediately from a playing career of over 1100 games right into the Philadelphia Flyers AHL affiliate as an assistant coach. He didn’t have to put in the time in the junior ranks and doesn’t have a major junior championship on his resume.
What sets Berube apart is being the only free agent head coach with a Stanley Cup, who has coached in the league in the past three seasons.
The Senators fan base has been adamant that the next bench boss should, preferably, have had some success at the NHL level as a head coach.
Berube brings a wealth of relevant AHL/NHL coaching experience as an assistant and head coach, actually coaching more pro games than he played. His only hiatus since 2004-05 was the 2015-16 season.
Berube's tenure in the Flyers and Blues organizations would suggest that his message doesn’t quickly get stale and that he is able to work and play nicely with management. Coaches with a track record of quickly wearing out their welcomes should be avoided.
The former tough guy's playing career gives him instant credibility with the players, not only because of the duration, but also because he was an undrafted free agent who had to earn everything he got. Guys with that kind of playing career to fall back on are never short on motivational stories.
There is no doubt that Berube checks a lot of boxes.
For one, he's tight with Sens executive Dave Poulin, his teammate for six seasons in the NHL.
Brady Tkachuk can likely relate to Berube’s physical hockey mindset, the one constant in that Cup run. The Blues were a heavy team that could wear down their opponents. That does not fit the description of the current Ottawa Senators.
Obviously, the interview process should delve into how things went south in St. Louis from the time they won in 2019 to this season. Even coaches with his experience need to continually learn from their previous shortfalls.
It might not hurt to speak to current Bruins head coach, Jim Montgomery, who was Berube’s assistant for two seasons. If he cites Berube as someone who helped him take the next step in his coaching career, then that's another feather in his cap.
It’s easy for people to be wooed by the Stanley Cup championship ring and it's obviously very relevant.
New coaches come in with a fresh canvas and his turnaround in 2019 was remarkable, even though he was an assistant to Mike Yeo before taking over.
The Blues never got close after that. It may sound like over analysis. It would be nice to be able to know for certain that Berube didn’t just catch lightning in a bottle and that he really is a championship coach.
Coaches with a Stanley Cup on their resume command more compensation so that will be a factor in the decision making as well.
Of course, another big question is whether Berube wants to come here. The Senators won’t be the only team in the market for a coach and Berube may find himself in the discussion with the Leafs, among others, should things go south for Sheldon Keefe.
Unlike other candidates, Berube may find himself in more of a position to be choosy. He'll need to see the Senators roster as a path to get back to the Stanley Cup as much as the Senators need to see him as the right guy to take them there.