Marc Savard joins Maple Leafs as assistant coach

The Toronto Maple Leafs finalized Craig Berube’s coaching staff for the 2024-25 season on Sunday.

The team announced that they have hired Marc Savard as an assistant coach. The 46-year-old spent the 2023-24 season as an assistant with the Calgary Flames before mutually parting ways with the club on May 22.

The 13-year NHL veteran was charged with leading Calgary’s power play, among his various duties while with the Flames. In his one year with the team, their power play finished as the 24th-ranked unit in the NHL.

Savard joined the Flames after serving as the head coach for the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires from 2021 to 2023.

He was previously an assistant coach under Berube with the St. Louis Blues in 2019-20.

In 807 career NHL games, Savard scored 206 goals and 706 points. He spent his playing career with the New York Rangers, Flames, Atlanta Thrashers and Boston Bruins.

Savard will join a staff that includes associate Lane Lambert, assistant Mike Van Ryn, goaltending coach Curtis Sanford, and video coaches Jordan Bean and Sam Kim.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have made a significant addition to their coaching staff with the hiring of former NHL player Marc Savard as an assistant coach. Savard, who played 13 seasons in the NHL with the New York Rangers, Calgary Flames, Atlanta Thrashers, and Boston Bruins, brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the team.

Savard is no stranger to the Maple Leafs organization, having spent the past two seasons as a player development coach with the team. During his time in that role, he worked closely with the team’s young players, helping them develop their skills and reach their full potential. His work with players like Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander has been widely praised, and his promotion to assistant coach is seen as a natural progression.

As an assistant coach, Savard will be responsible for working with the team’s forwards, helping them improve their offensive skills and develop their overall game. His experience as a playmaker and goal scorer in the NHL will be invaluable in this role, as he can provide firsthand knowledge and advice to the players.

In addition to his on-ice coaching duties, Savard will also be involved in game planning and strategy sessions with head coach Sheldon Keefe. His hockey IQ and understanding of the game will be a valuable asset to the coaching staff as they work to lead the Maple Leafs to success in the upcoming season.

Overall, the addition of Marc Savard to the Maple Leafs coaching staff is a positive development for the team. His experience, knowledge, and passion for the game will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the players and help the team reach their full potential. Fans can look forward to seeing how Savard’s influence shapes the team’s performance on the ice in the coming season.