The hammer has finally dropped for Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. News has emerged that Toronto Maple Leafs Head Coach Sheldon Keefe has been fired. This coaching change was expected as the Maple Leafs crashed out of the first round after a hard-fought seven-game series against the Boston Bruins.
Breaking – Sheldon Keefe has been fired as coach of the Maple Leafs.
— Steve Simmons (@simmonssteve) May 9, 2024
Sheldon Keefe Fired as Leafs Head Coach
Keefe has been part of the Maple Leafs organization for a number of seasons. His coaching career took off when he led the AHL Toronto Marlies to the Calder Cup in 2018. Keefe then got his shot at the big time in 2019 after Mike Babock was fired in November.
The Brampton, Ontario native has taken Toronto to the Stanley Cup Playoffs each season he’s been behind the bench. However, playoff success is the only thing that long-suffering Maple Leafs fans care about. Keefe was excellent in the regular season at 212-97-40 good for a .665 Win%. However, he’s only 16-21 in the post-season. That record won’t cut it as Toronto still looks to win its first Stanley Cup since 1967.
Keefe was also an NHL player with the Tampa Bay Lightning before a knee injury ended his career in the 2004-05 AHL season. He then went into coaching and rose through the ranks to win over 200 NHL games.
What’s Next
The Leafs job carries a lot of pressure with the attention and the media scrutiny. However, it is still one of the most coveted jobs in the league. Getting success with the Leafs would make someone an instant legend with the fans.
There are number of names like Craig Berube, Dean Evason and others that could come in and shake up the room. A culture change is coming in Toronto and there could be a lot of moves that will be made. However, the coaching change is the first and likely easiest one that had to be made. The hunt is on to finally mix the Maple Leafs and a coach that can take on such a monumental task.
Main photo by: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
