TORONTO– Sheldon Keefe was sacked as coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday, following another early exit from the NHL playoffs.
The move was expected following Toronto’s Game 7 loss to rival Boston last weekend, the team’s fourth first-round loss in five years under Sheldon. The Maple Leafs have won only one playoff series since Sheldon took charge in November 2019.
“Today’s decision was difficult,” general manager Brad Treliving stated. “Sheldon is a fantastic coach and a kind man. However, we felt that a new voice was required to help the team push through to achieve our ultimate goal.”
Toronto Maple Leafs Fire Coach Sheldon Keefe After Another Early Playoff Exit.
Following the league’s 18th coaching change since the completion of the 2022-23 season, the team announced that the hunt for Keefe’s replacement will begin immediately. Treliving and other members of management are set to speak to media on Friday about the coaching change and other end-of-season issues.
Keefe, 43, joined the club in 2015 as coach of the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies, largely due to his junior hockey connections to then-assistant general manager Kyle Dubas, who was elevated and served as GM for five seasons before being fired last year. Sheldon took over for Mike Babcock after Dubas dismissed him a few weeks into the 2019-20 season.
Toronto Maple Leafs Fire Coach Sheldon Keefe After Another Early Playoff Exit.
Some good regular seasons and playoff appearances followed, but little extra to show for it. Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, Morgan Rielly, and John Tavares led the Leafs, who were Keefe’s coach, to a 16-21 playoff record.
Earlier this week, Keefe stated that, while he accepts responsibility for not meeting goals, he has never been more confident in the group’s and his potential to succeed.
Toronto Maple Leafs Fire Coach Sheldon Keefe After Another Early Playoff Exit.
They will do so if they win in Toronto under a different coach. Craig Berube, winner of the 2019 Stanley Cup, former Minnesota coach Dean Evason, and former Los Angeles coach Todd McLellan are among the experienced alternatives.
SOURCE – (AP)
