Toronto Maple Leafs fire another coach, announce Guy Boucher won't return

The Maple Leafs announced on social media that assistant coach Guy Boucher had departed the team following his one-season bench press. The cause of Boucher's exit is yet unknown.

Boucher, 52, joined the Toronto Maple Leafs last summer as an assistant coach, along with Mike Van Ryn. This was Boucher's first job back in the National Hockey League in nearly five years after being fired midway through the 2018-19 season while head coach of the Maple Leafs' rivals, the Ottawa Senators.

The 52-year-old Boucher and Mike Van Ryn became assistant coaches for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the summer of last year. Boucher was sacked as head coach of the Ottawa Senators, the Maple Leafs' rival team, midway through the 2018–19 season. This was his first position back in the National Hockey League in almost five years.

Boucher oversaw the management of the Maple Leafs' powerplay, which included a wealth of offensive players including Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews, and William Nylander. With a powerplay percentage of 23.95%, the Maple Leafs concluded the regular season ranked eighth in the National Hockey League according to Covers.com.

But in the playoffs, their powerplay collapsed, going just 1 for 21 in their seven-game series in Round 1 against the Boston Bruins. Had the Leafs' powerplay taken off during that series, it may have undoubtedly given them the momentum they required to overcome their enduring opponent.

Guy Boucher's future is unknown, but it wouldn't be strange to see him back in the National Hockey League as a bench warmer, or even leading a powerplay once more, as early as the 2024–25 campaign.

Source: Blade of Steel
Maple Leafs coach Guy Boucher leaves the organization after one season