How the players react to Berube's gameplan remains to be seen. The no-nonsense coach was known in St. Louis for preaching a north-south style that relies heavily on an effective forecheck.
Asked what he wanted to instill into his new team, Berube, as always, was clear and to the point.
"Just an identity -- how we want to be as a team, how we want to play night in and night out more than anything, what to expect, what I am looking for as a coach, and what I expect out of you as a player," he said.
Point taken.
Berube is 281-190-72 in 543 regular-season games coaching the Blues and Philadelphia Flyers. He's 27-31 in 58 playoff games.
On the ice, Toronto's goal was to improve its defense over the offseason. The free agent signings of Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson should help.
The rugged Tanev, a Toronto native, signed a four-year contract on July 1. The 34-year-old finished fourth in the NHL last season with 207 blocked shots and is the type of elite shutdown defenseman that is the perfect first-pairing match with the offensive-minded Rielly.
"It's great to come home," Tanev said. "I'm excited. I know how much this team means to this city."
Ekman-Larsson had 32 points (nine goals, 23 assists) in 80 regular-season games for the Florida Panthers and six points (two goals, four assists) in 24 postseason games to help them win the Stanley Cup. The 33-year-old signed a four-year contract on July 1 and is a leading candidate to quarterback the top power-play unit.
Toronto also added Anthony Stolarz for some insurance for starter Joseph Woll in goal. The 30-year-old, who signed a two-year contract on July 3, was 16-7-2 with two shutouts in 27 regular-season games (24 starts) for the Panthers last season and led the NHL with a 2.03 goals-against average and .925 save percentage (minimum, 25 games).
On August 14, Matthews was named the 26th captain in franchise history, succeeding Tavares, who had held the role for the past five seasons.
Will all these moves alter the team's playoff fortunes come next spring?
Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment CEO Keith Pelley made it clear that the organization will make whatever changes are needed to bring the franchise to its ultimate goal.
"Skill, chemistry and unity is what I believe the recipe for success is. And, for me, success is winning the Stanley Cup," Pelley said. "Nothing else matters other than winning the Stanley Cup."