BREAKING NEWS: Marc Savard joins the Leafs as an assistant coach
Marc Savard has been appointed as an assistant coach by the Toronto Maple Leafs, the team announced today. With the addition of associate Lane Lambert, assistant Mike Van Ryn, goaltending coach Curtis Sanford, and video coaches Jordan Bean and Sam Kim, head coach Craig Berube’s staff is complete for the 2017 campaign.
Savard spent the previous two seasons as head coach of the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League before joining the Maple Leafs as an assistant coach. Savard led the Spitfires to an OHL Finals appearance in 2022 and a record of 88-35-8-5 during his two seasons (2021–22 and 2022–23) in Windsor. Before starting his stay in Windsor, the native of Ottawa, Ontario, started his coaching career with the St. Louis Blues in 2019–20.
Savard is regarded as a power play specialist by many, and although the Leafs’ power play performed admirably in the regular season by sophisticated shot-based metrics, it fell short in the closing minutes of the game. Even though the shot rate was high at first, it really failed to score against Jeremy Swayman in the playoffs. The wheels eventually came off entirely.
But is Savard good, or just a power play guy? And how can you tell when you consider Calgary’s struggles throughout the previous season?
Under Savard, their power play Expected Goals For increased from 8.33 to 9.05 from the previous season to this one. The Flames are currently in 13th position in the NHL thanks to that performance. The Oilers, Wild, and Panthers were ahead of the Leafs in fourth place.
It’s reasonable to say that Calgary lacked the skill and system necessary to excel on the power play. Alternatively, they may just refer to Savard as their mutual friend.
The upcoming season’s play will serve as the evidence.
Leave a Reply