The most recent early elimination of the Toronto Maple Leafs was one too many. The organization announced this Thursday morning that it had fired its head coach Sheldon Keefe.
This news is not exactly surprising in a context where, in the unanimous opinion of observers, changes were to be expected among the Leafs. Their recent defeat in seven games against the Boston Bruins, in the first round of the playoffs, reproduced a well-known scenario in the Queen City: a strong season concluded with a brief run in the playoffs. The team has only won one round in the last 20 years.
In a statement, management indicated that the search for a new head coach would begin immediately, and that “decisions” regarding other members of the coaching staff would follow soon.
“This is a difficult decision,” general manager Brad Treliving wrote. Sheldon is a great coach and a good person. However, we determined that a new voice was needed to help our team achieve our ultimate goal. »
This dismissal therefore puts an end to a nine-year professional relationship between Keefe and the Maple Leafs organization. He was only 35 years old when he took his place behind the bench of the Toronto Marlies, the Leafs’ farm club in the American League. After four prolific seasons, notably marked by winning the Calder Cup in 2018, he was promoted to the big club, replacing Mike Babcock.
Since he took office in November 2019, his men have had a record of 212-97-40, the fourth best in the entire NHL in that time. However, this success during the season has never been translated into the playoffs. Last year, the only round the club won under his watch, a first in two decades, was followed by a quick elimination in the next round.
- 2020: Defeat in 5 games (in 3 of 5 format) against the Columbus Blue Jackets in the qualifying round
- 2021: Defeat in 7 games in the first round against the Montreal Canadiens, despite a 3-1 lead after 4 games
- 2022: Loss in 7 games in the first round against the Tampa Bay Lightning
- 2023: Loss in 5 games in the second round against the Florida Panthers
- 2024: Loss in 7 games in the first round against the Boston Bruins
After the most recent elimination in Boston, rumors of significant changes in the Leafs organization have intensified. Could this be the end of the powerful offensive core made up of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and John Tavares, who struggled to score goals against the Bruins? Would we also show the coach the door? Or even to his bosses?
“We’re in a results-based industry, and we haven’t produced results,” Keefe said earlier this week during the team’s review. We didn’t meet expectations, and as head coach, I take responsibility for that. »
He said he would like to return behind the bench in 2024-2025, but that this decision was “out of (his) control”.
The responsibility for the Leafs’ misfortunes is obviously far from falling entirely on him, but he remained the easiest target for a quick change, even if he has a contract binding him to the organization for two more seasons. However, he could find work quickly, since four other teams are currently looking for a head coach.
Brendan Shanahan, Maple Leafs president of hockey operations, and Brad Treliving, general manager, will meet with media representatives on Friday to take stock of their own and discuss the future of the club.
reference: www.lapresse.ca