The Toronto Maple Leafs have appointed Steve Sullivan as their newest assistant coach, the team disclosed on Friday. Sullivan transitions to the NHL franchise after serving as an assistant coach for the Toronto Marlies, the Leafs’ American Hockey League affiliate.
This decision follows the dismissal of assistant coach Marc Savard earlier in the week. Savard’s role primarily involved overseeing the team’s power play, an area where Toronto has struggled, ranking at just 13.0 percent, placing them at the bottom of the league.
This power play inefficiency is one of several challenges the Leafs have faced this season, resulting in their current position at the bottom of the Atlantic Division, trailing the Buffalo Sabres by three points. It is a stark contrast to their division title win just last year.
Steve Sullivan, aged 51, brings a wealth of experience, having played 15 seasons in the NHL and accumulating 747 points (290 goals, 457 assists) across 1,011 career games. His professional career saw him play for various teams including the New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Phoenix Coyotes.
