Three days after dismissing assistant coach Marc Savard over the team's league-worst power play, the Toronto Maple Leafs hired Steve Sullivan as his replacement on Friday. Sullivan, previously an assistant with the club's AHL affiliate Toronto Marlies, brings NHL playing experience to the role.
The Toronto Maple Leafs added Steve Sullivan as an assistant coach on December 26, 2025, promoting him from their American Hockey League affiliate, the Toronto Marlies. The move directly follows the firing of Marc Savard earlier in the week, as covered previously, with Savard having overseen the NHL's least efficient power play.
The team announced the hire via social media: "We have added Steve Sullivan as an Assistant Coach. Sullivan joins the Leafs from the Toronto Marlies."
At 51, Sullivan steps up after a 15-year NHL playing career, where he recorded 747 points (290 goals, 457 assists) in 1,011 games across teams including the Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils, Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Phoenix Coyotes.
This internal promotion aims to stabilize the coaching staff and improve special teams performance as the Leafs look to climb the Atlantic Division standings.
