Published Dec 26, 2025 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 44\u00a0minutes ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 4 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n Steve Sullivan received a nice promotion during the Christmas break.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authors<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n The Maple Leafs announced on Boxing Day morning that Sullivan, who had been an assistant coach with the Toronto Marlies, has been added as an assistant coach to Craig Berube\u2019s staff.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n The move comes four days after the Leafs fired assistant coach Marc Savard, who failed to find anything approaching success with the Leafs\u2019 power play.<\/p>\n When the Leafs<\/a> resume play on Saturday night at home against the Ottawa Senators, they will do so with the worst power play in the National Hockey League, one that has converted on just 13% (12-for-92) of its opportunities.<\/p>\n When the Leafs resume play on Saturday night at home against the Ottawa Senators, they will do so with the worst power play in the National Hockey League, one that has converted on just 13% (12-for-92) of its opportunities.<\/p>\n Your Midday Sun<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n It\u2019s expected that Sullivan eventually will take on a greater power-play role with the Leafs. After the Leafs beat the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday in their last game before the Christmas break, Berube clarified that for the time being, it would be a staff approach to running the power play.<\/p>\n We apologize, but this video has failed to load.<\/p>\n Play Video Of the several problems that the Leafs have had through their first 36 games of the 2025-26 regular season, the power play is at the top of the list. A dearth of goals with a man advantage has helped put the Leafs in 15th place in the Eastern Conference, five points behind the Florida Panthers for the second wild-card spot and six points behind the Tampa Bay Lightning for third place in the Atlantic Division.<\/p>\n The Marlies have not been much better, hitting on 15.9% of their power plays. As of Friday, that was 24th in the American Hockey League.<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n It\u2019s a full-circle moment for the 51-year-old Sullivan, a native of Timmins. He played in four seasons with the Leafs, joining the club in February 1997 when he was part of the package that came to Toronto in the trade that sent Doug Gilmour to the New Jersey Devils. In 154 games with the Leafs, Sullivan scored 35 goals and recorded 50 assists. In October 1999, the Chicago Blackhawks claimed Sullivan off waivers from Toronto.<\/p>\n Sullivan\u2019s 16-year NHL career also included stops in Nashville, Pittsburgh and Phoenix. He played in 1,011 games, compiling 747 points, and retired after the 2012-13 season.<\/p>\n Prior to being hired by the Marlies in August 2024, Sullivan was the assistant general manager of the Arizona Coyotes from 2017-21.<\/p>\n Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Three Leafs things<\/p>\n Three things we\u2019ll be looking for as the Leafs return with a back-to-back set this weekend, with a game in Detroit against the Red Wings on Sunday following the Battle of Ontario on Saturday:<\/p>\n \u2013 Any sign that captain Auston Matthews<\/a> can emerge from what has been a season-long slump.<\/p>\n With 23 points (14 goals and nine assists) in 31 games, Matthews hasn\u2019t come close to providing what has been expected (they\u2019re not unrealistic expectations, considering the high standard he has set in previous seasons).<\/p>\n If Matthews doesn\u2019t record a point on Saturday, his dry spell will run to five games. He has not had that kind of stretch since his NHL rookie year, when he went seven games without a point from March 2-16, 2017.<\/p>\n Advertisement 6<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Matthews has more points (48) against Ottawa than he does versus any other NHL team. His 25 goals against the Sens are his second-most against any team, after Montreal (29). Will that matter on Saturday?<\/p>\n![\"Steve](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Steve-Sullivan.jpg\")
Steve Sullivan has been added as an assistant coach to Craig Berube\u2019s staff. Photo by PostmediaArticle content<\/p>\n![\"Toronto](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.2.3\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-tsun.svg\"){kind=logo}
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One of many issues<\/p>\n