Approval rating for the Toronto Maple Leafs hiring of Craig Berube continues to soar

If they didn't already, the Toronto Maple Leafs should feel good about hiring new coach Craig Berube. The list of former and current players and coaches applauding the move continues to grow.

The Toronto Maple Leafs star winger, Mitch Marner and former NHL head coach Bruce Boudreau recently added their names to those endorsing the new boss behind the team's bench.

They join a list that includes John Cooper, coach of the Maple Leafs Atlantic Division rival Tampa Bay Lightning and another former NHL coach, Dallas Eakins who also supported the Berube hiring.

Of course, Marner is unlikely to say anything discouraging about his new boss, and Cooper does not need to anger a divisional opponent. Yet, their observations and opinions from others are divulging the Leafs made a good hire.

Approval rating for the Toronto Maple Leafs hiring of Craig Berube continues to soar

At the Maple Leafs press conference announcing the captaincy of teammate Auston Matthews, Marner offered his thoughts on Berube.

Marner mentioned talking to the Leafs new coach all summer and Berube's "great, new mindset." Most telling, was Marner saying "I talked to a lot of people that have been under his coaching and I've only heard great things."

It's quite likely that some of those people included former Maple Leafs teammates such as Tyler Bozak, Kyle Clifford, and Joel Edmundson who all played for Berube during his time with the St. Louis Blues.

The most influential feedback regarding a new coach is from player-to-player. Positive reviews from those who have played under Berube carry the most traction with Leafs players that now have a new boss.

Former and Current Coaches Also Like the Leafs Hire

During a recent appearance on NHL Network, former NHL coach Bruce Boudreau also commended the hiring of Berube.

Boudreau opined that the Leafs will be more defensive-minded and accountable under Berube. He also stated how "everything I've heard about Craig is that the players love playing for him."

Not long after the Maple Leafs hired Berube, Cooper also expressed his approval of the move. The Lightning bench boss described Berube as an "honest coach" who "gets the best out of his players" and "the one thing he'll make sure he gets out of the guys is an honest effort."

That's high praise from one of the best coaches in the NHL and words that the Leafs frustrated fan base should love to hear. The removal of former coach Sheldon Keefe was a necessary change, especially with all the core players returning.

A fresh vibe with a newly appointed captain and coach has engrossed the team. Words like "honest, defensive-minded, accountable and new mindset" give hope for progress.

It's early in the process of the general manager Brad Treliving's makeover and a game has yet to be played, but the plaudits coming from all corners of players and coaches around the league is encouraging.

The true test will come when the games begin, and especially next spring, but the early impressions show the Toronto Maple Leafs made the right hire.