Maple Leafs Coach Craig Berube Comments Add Fuel To Brayden Schenn Rumors

With word emerging that the Toronto Maple Leafs' top deadline target is St. Louis Blues center Brayden Schenn, there are all sorts of reasons for this potential move to make sense. Not the least of which is the fact that Schenn was a key piece of the 2019 Stanley Cup winning Blues team—coached by current Leafs bench boss Craig Berube.

Schenn reached a milestone this week in St. Louis, playing in his 1,000th NHL game. Guess who one of the folks was who reached out to him to offer his congratulations? Yup, that very same Craig Berube.

Craig Berube reached out to congratulate Brayden Schenn on 1,000 games: "I love that player. I love the guy."
— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) February 28, 2025

"I love that player. I love the guy... He's a super human," said the Leafs' coach about his former player Schenn, in an eyebrow-raising statement, particularly considering the presumed state of trade talks between the Buds and the Blues.

And the feeling is apparently mutual. Schenn hasn't been shy to heap his own praise on Berube, as seen in an interview with Nick Alberga after the coach was hired by the Leafs last May.

Craig Berube coached Brayden Schenn to a Stanley Cup win…

So, what should the Leafs leaders expect from their new bench boss?@thegoldenmuzzy | @Jay_D_Rosehill

Presented by GRETA! pic.twitter.com/qZWlY9Rw4d
— TheLeafsNation (@TLNdc) May 22, 2024

Schenn called his relationship with Berube "Awesome. Awesome.

"He wants guys' opinions... and really leans on guys around him... There was numerous times he'd... pull us into his office to get our opinions on different things. I think that goes a long way... when you have a good feel for what's going on and have good communication from your coach."

It will take a hefty offer to reunite the two in Toronto, with many saying that the Leafs will have to part with one of their top prospects, either Easton Cowan or Fraser Minten.