The Florida Panthers have earned a reputation as one of the dirtiest, toughest, and meanest teams in the NHL. But Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube isn’t impressed—and in an interview on Sunday, he took the opportunity to share his candid thoughts about the Round 2 opponents.
The Stanley Cup Playoffs continue, and the second round features some intriguing matchups. One of the most anticipated is between the reigning champions, the Florida Panthers, and the Toronto Maple Leafs, who eliminated the Ottawa Senators in six games in the first round.
Florida got the better of the Tampa Bay Lightning in their opening-round series, and after reaching the Final in 2023 and hoisting the Cup in 2024, the Panthers are once again among the favorites to win it all in 2025.
Craig Berube’s hilarious response
They have a roster built for playoff hockey, filled with gritty players like Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett, and Brad Marchand. Their physical playing style makes them a nightmare to go up against. Thanks to their recent success, they’ve earned a well-deserved reputation for playing tough, mean, and at times dirty hockey.
But the Maple Leafs don’t seem fazed.
On Sunday, Toronto head coach Craig Berube spoke to the media and was asked directly if the Panthers’ “mean” streak was a concern. His reaction? Hilarious.
“Are they mean?” a genuinely confused Berube replied.
Berube smiled after the question, and once the reporter clarified what he meant, the coach offered a more thoughtful response.
“They play a hard game, I agree,” said Berube. “They forecheck hard, and they’re physical and in your face the whole game… I don’t necessarily think it’s mean.”
READ MORE: Andrew Raycroft shares bold take on Connor Hellebuyck
