This summer in Toronto has been anything but ordinary, with a whirlwind of emotions sweeping across the city’s passionate hockey fanbase.

The departure of one of the Maple Leafs’ brightest stars, Mitch Marner, has dominated headlines, leaving fans and analysts alike searching for answers and speculating about the future of the team.

But as the dust begins to settle, a new chapter is quietly unfolding at the heart of the organization—and it’s one that promises to be just as unpredictable as the last.

With training camp underway and fresh faces filling the locker room, all eyes are now on Head Coach Craig Berube, a man known for his straightforward approach and sharp wit.

In a recent interview, Berube let slip a comment that has set social media ablaze and left everyone wondering: just how deep did the drama run within the Maple Leafs?

Was Marner’s exit truly the beginning of a new era, or is there more to the story than meets the eye?

As fans brace themselves for a season of change, Berube’s words have sparked both laughter and controversy, hinting at a behind-the-scenes dynamic that few expected.

What exactly did he say—and what does it mean for the future of hockey in Toronto? The answer may surprise you.

Craig Berube, Head Coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Photo credit: Daily Faceoff

Mitch Marner’s departure made waves in Toronto this summer, and now Head Coach Craig Berube has taken a hilarious shot at Marner in a recent interview.

As the Toronto Maple Leafs were eliminated from the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Head Coach Craig Berube buried his team after the defeat to the Florida Panthers, and it’s led to a summer of many changes.

The biggest change of all was of course Mitch Marner’s departure, and while it will create a hole on the team’s top line, it could also be a positive given all of the negative attention around No. 16 in recent years, especially with hat happened following his departure.

Berube Fires Subtle Shot at Marner on the way out

As the Maple Leafs return for training camp ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, Berube was asked about Marner’s departure, and while he went into further depth, he fired a subtle shot at the star forward, as he stated that he’s glad he no longer has to hear the term ‘Core Four’.

What excites me is not hearing about ‘Core Four’ anymore.

Clearly Berube was joking around, but given the firestorm that followed Marner and his subsequent departure from Toronto, it’s easy to see why a no-nonsense coach like Berube would be excited by less drama around the team moving forward.

Ultimately, Marner’s departure brought up many emotions for fans, teammates and coaches, but now that they’re beyond that drama, this is a team looking forward to a potentially successful run in 2025/26 without him, but the Head Coach couldn’t let him depart without one final, hilarious shot at the veteran forward.