Gino Reda and Darren Dreger discuss Sheldon Keefe's status as head coach for the Toronto Maple Leafs and when we may learn more about the direction the team is heading in.
There are two questions: 1. What do the Leafs fans want? 2. What do the Leafs owners want? Not the same answer is what I'm, unfortunately, thinking. Keefe says he takes responsibility but did he? Nope. He would have resigned if that was the case. Actions speak louder than scripted words.
Keefe is an excellent coach who had to deal with the wrong tools, it would be a shame if he is replaced, I think they should keep him and bring in the right tools. The Leafs last 3 games played against Boston was the best hockey I saw of them in the past 30 years.
I agree Keefe is a good coach. On the Leafs playing their best hockey in the last thirty years - No way. That team in 93 with Dougie and Wendel… now that’s a contender. And if it wasn’t for 99 on the other side of that LA series, who knows… but Keefe’s message has gone stale and the players aren’t going to change (no move clauses etc). So get Berube in there now and end this country club like atmosphere.
The Leafs scored five goals in the last three games…. Five goals with that 40M+ core (I know 34 was out, but still). Five goals in three games? 1/21 on the PP?? When half your cap is tied up in four forwards, this kind of anemic offensive output in the playoffs is unacceptable. Get somebody in there who can bring a fresh message and can hold these spoiled children accountable and maybe, just maybe the offense will start to trend towards it potential (maybe, but I doubt it too… but you have to try something… and this is all they can do)
Players who wants max money, no trade clause, no accountability, and hitting the links early. Winning is not in their vocabulary. Incompetent mgmt gave them everything.
I can’t see Marner, Nylander, Mathews and the very soft defender Reilly being able to be accountable to a former player like Craig Berube standards even if the Leafs did get him. Berube was a brawler, that as a coach won the Stanley Cup. He would bully the Leafs into crying.
If this is all they do it's time to opt out. It will be at least 4-5 years before they can make another move forward. From now with this line-up it's just diminishing marginal returns.
Maybe if they got a head coach that coddled certain key players even more? JK - but i don't think a tough coach would be able to breakthrough with this group (again certain key players). At this stage, I don't think it's a coaching change that'll fix deep rooted issues in team construction. Keefe has his downsides as coach but the players have too much control on this version of the MLs - it's been like that for a while now. They need to re-assess and re-gain control of their cap situation by doing what they can to move out expensive, soon-to-be expiring contracts next season or the season after next that have so far backfired. Addition by subtraction.
Craig Berube got to the Stanley cup in 2019. That is 5 years ago. If he was that good why hasn't other teams signed him then? Keefe made some stupid comments but no matter what he says, its the players that determine their effort.
I think he did alright. we can't argue that, but just like pual did in winnipeg, maybe it's time to go separate ways 🤔 long time leafs fan and we just didn't show up in the playoffs in all aspects to blame Sheldon alone isn't the fix
No better way to know that Dreger knows nothing about NJ than to hear him say he does not understand why the Devils didn't promote Travis Green to head coach. The Devils got worse under Green than they were under Ruff, despite getting significantly better goaltending from Allen and Kahkonen than they got from any other goalie this season. As an assistant coach, he was partially responsible for how bad the Devils were all season, and was clearly not the answer for NJ. Maybe he'll do better in Ottawa, but I won't hold my breath.
I'm sure many may disagree here, but I think they should run it back with Sheldon 1 more year, since Marner and Tavares have expiring NMCs for 1 more year. I think Guy Boucher has got to go though. The special teams are really a problem for the Leafs, and Marner, Rielly, and Tavares were all extremely disappointing.
IT should not be ticking , Keefe in no way deserves to go , he shouldn't be scapegoated , his players played well and hard for him against the bruins , team needs to have continuity as the line up changes for the better . AM and WN at centre surround them with good tough players .
Is he one of the best coaches in NHL? No, the Leafs should be sending the message that they are the richest organization in the league and they are only hiring the best. Send messages to agents that our new philosophy is to hire and pay the best in the world. No more experiments, if you are not one of the best then we are not interested. Joel Q would be my pick of what is available, unless Cooper does not go back to Tampa Bay.
I dont know if Keefe is deserving of being let go, He definitely lost the room and the group is not playing the way he wants…for that alone Keefe needs to go but the players play and I unequivocally believe the team needs Extreme change. I think they will play it back one more year, then Marner and JT cap will be gone so maybe they can finally build a well rounded roster. We all know Mitch and JT wont waive their NM clause. Be prepared for another failure first round exit.
I think we may as well keep Sheldon at least until Tavares and Marner's contracts expire. But definitely get rid of Boucher, as special teams were a big problem. Marner, Rielly, and Tavares were hugely disappointing. Like I know Tavares tries really hard, but its just not good enough unfortunately. Absolutely no way Treliving should re sign Mitch for more money.
