The Toronto Maple Leafs have left their head coach, Sheldon Keefe, in a precarious position.
After the firing of their General Manager Kyle Dubas, the Leafs have been expected to let go of Keefe as well. This is a common practice among incoming GMs who would prefer to bring in their own coach.
Despite the uncertainty, Leafs fans have been vocal about their desire for a new coach. They believe that Keefe is not the right fit for the job.
However, the Leafs’ newly hired GM, Brad Treliving, is taking his time to assess the team’s strengths and weaknesses before making any decisions regarding the coaching staff.
While it is frustrating for fans and Keefe himself to be left in limbo, this is likely the right approach. It gives Treliving the opportunity to make an informed decision that will benefit the team in the long run.
If Treliving ultimately decides that Keefe is the right coach for the job, then he will return for the next season. However, there are many reasons why fans think that he shouldn’t.
One of the most common criticisms of Keefe’s coaching style is that it is boring and fails to make the most of Toronto’s offensive superstars. Fans believe that the team should take more penalties to increase their power-play opportunities and score more goals on rebounds and rushes.
There are also concerns about the lineups Keefe has been putting out. Fans think that he has been hesitant to give young players prominent roles on the team.
Overall, there is a growing sentiment that the Leafs need a new coach.
If Treliving decides to go in this direction, here are some potential replacement coaches:
1. Bruce Boudreau
Boudreau is a veteran coach who has been successful in the past. He has coached multiple NHL teams and has a wealth of experience coaching high-scoring, talented teams.
2. Gerard Gallant
Gallant is another veteran coach who has had success in recent years. He coached the Vegas Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup Finals in their inaugural season in 2017-2018.
3. Mike Babcock
While Babcock may not be a popular choice with Leafs fans due to his tenure with the team, he has a proven track record of success in the NHL. He has won a Stanley Cup and has coached at the international level.
4. Willie Desjardins
Desjardins is a former NHL coach who has had success in the Canadian Hockey League. He has a reputation for developing young players and could be a good fit for the Leafs.
5. Dave Tippett
Tippett is another veteran coach who has had success in the NHL. He has a strong defensive coaching style, which could benefit the Leafs as they have struggled defensively in recent years.
In conclusion, the decision of whether or not to keep Sheldon Keefe as the head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs is ultimately up to newly hired GM Brad Treliving. While fans are calling for a new coach, Treliving is taking his time to make an informed decision that will benefit the team in the long run. If he does decide to make a change, there are several potential replacement coaches available with different coaching styles and track records of success. Only time will tell which direction Treliving decides to go in, but Leafs fans are eagerly awaiting the answer.
