Playoff Keefe

[Vaive50]

If that's true they need to see it for themselves. If they do have that personality trait as a professional then we can finally be at ease trading some of the core away. Don't want bums like that on the team.

In my opinion they will listen to Trotz though. They're not toxic players. Very respected coach with credentials to back it up.

Trotz proved himself with the Caps (winning the Cup) and Islanders at first but what happened this year when the Islanders went from almost eliminating TB to being out of the playoff picture the entire season.

 

[Stephen]

I was supporting Keefe coming back till that handshake/respect comment. That’s such a weird thing to say.
I really think Trotz might be someone who can help this team.

Keefe says a lot of nervous guy shit. From throwing Liljegren under the bus by saying his inexperienced showed to expressing satisfaction at the 2-2 split having no-showed in the Game 4 debacle with the chance to go up 3-1. Just on public presentation he needs a better corporate filter and also to project more of a competitive Alphadog presence.

 

[usernamezrhardtodo]

The boyz won't listen to a guy like Trotz. They'll sulk and complain and do even less to deserve their $40+ million.

I agree...he would be who I would get if AM wasn't ready to be a UFA in 2yrs. He hated playing under Babs and likes the MVP type scoring he gets to do with Keefe. If he were locked up for 4yrs more...I would do the Trotz thing and hope we win a cup before he walks. Doing it with 2yrs left for AM is almost a guarantee he walks IMO.

 

[Hoglund4MvP]

Trotz proved himself with the Caps (winning the Cup) and Islanders at first but what happened this year when the Islanders went from almost eliminating TB to being out of the playoff picture the entire season.

I don't think Lou assembled a good team. Dinosaur Chara was in their top 4 D.

They over achieved in covid cup Trotz was a big reason for that finding a way to make the pieces run like a well oiled machine. There's only so many years in a row you can over achieve with Trotz.

 

[Stephen]

I don't think Lou assembled a good team. Dinosaur Chara was in their top 4 D.

They over achieved in covid cup Trotz was a big reason for that finding a way to make the pieces run like a well oiled machine. There's only so many years in a row you can over achieve with Trotz.

I've been saying it since the 2020 Bubble, but this current Islanders run is eerily similar to the Fletcher/Burns Leafs teams that relied on stingy team defense and chemistry and topped out as conference finalists. No matter how close they got, they don't have cup potential.

Once you factor in decline and the annual tinkering, the magic recipe is diluted and the whole program goes to ruins. Lo and behold, Trotz is gone. To be fair, it's fun while it lasts but I never envied a thing the Islanders did. It's not Toronto's mission.

 

[BallardEra]

I've said it before. Keefe reminds me of early era Caps Bruce Boudreau. They'll rack up the wins but eventually you'll need another coach to take you to the next level.

 

[Vaive50]

I don't think Lou assembled a good team. Dinosaur Chara was in their top 4 D.

They over achieved in covid cup Trotz was a big reason for that finding a way to make the pieces run like a well oiled machine. There's only so many years in a row you can over achieve with Trotz.

Yeah, I agree that his crew over there are no where as good as ours. But I'd feel that even Trotz won't be able to make it work for us. If we don't destroy ourselves (like against the Habs), the refs will be sure we don't win. I'm surprised they let the Reilly goal stand but then ignored how Muzzins stick was being held on Pauls second goal 3 minutes later.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

Our PP was terrible again this post season.

How did the Bolts prevent one time slappers for our PP ?

 

[admiralcadillac]

Our PP was terrible again this post season.

How did the Bolts prevent one time slappers for our PP ?

By blocking shots and playing harder

 

[dubplatepressure]

Our PP was terrible again this post season.

How did the Bolts prevent one time slappers for our PP ?

2 things immediately come to mind when reading this

1. WHAT one timers? For half of the games our wingers lined up on their WRONG side to even take one timers - it's completely baffling

2. I'm reminded of Bieksa's comments during one of the games' intermissions in which he pointed out that he sees a difference between TB and TOR - TB players are actually trying to block shots, whereas TOR players are just trying to get into the shooting lanes. One wants it, the other wants to say they tried.

 

[mix1home]

Keefe is as good as gone.

 

[JKG33]

I've said it before. Keefe reminds me of early era Caps Bruce Boudreau. They'll rack up the wins but eventually you'll need another coach to take you to the next level.

Hey Bruce's teams could at least win a round or two on their way, so I think that comparison is speaking far too highly of Keefe but I get your point

 

[mix1home]

I agree...he would be who I would get if AM wasn't ready to be a UFA in 2yrs. He hated playing under Babs and likes the MVP type scoring he gets to do with Keefe. If he were locked up for 4yrs more...I would do the Trotz thing and hope we win a cup before he walks. Doing it with 2yrs left for AM is almost a guarantee he walks IMO.

Wow. Did Trotz prevent Ovi from getting goals? If anything, hard defence makes other teams make mistakes and overextend. Ovi was just fine.

 

[The Magic Man]

Keefe is as good as gone.

He better be. He's been out classed every year he's been here. Good development coach but we need a real boss behind the bench. Even loud mouth Torts would be better for the playoffs then this. I can't stand seeing no change to our losses anymore.

Out: Holl, Nylander, Keefe

In: Trotz/Torts #2PF #2Rhd #2G but a 1B would be preferred.

FTR I don't mind Holl, he played good the last few games and is solid in tight spaces but open ice he's a mess. I can live with him if we have to.

 

[Gabriel426]

The boyz won't listen to a guy like Trotz. They'll sulk and complain and do even less to deserve their $40+ million.

If that’s the case, they should be traded away. Honestly, I think they will listen to someone like Trotz

 

[makbeer]

Keefe says a lot of nervous guy shit. From throwing Liljegren under the bus by saying his inexperienced showed to expressing satisfaction at the 2-2 split having no-showed in the Game 4 debacle with the chance to go up 3-1. Just on public presentation he needs a better corporate filter and also to project more of a competitive Alphadog presence.

He's the beta in the relationship with Dubas. Wouldn't be surprised if a lot of the lineup decisions were forced on him.

If that’s the case, they should be traded away. Honestly, I think they will listen to someone like Trotz

I think they are at the point they would listen to a coach like Trotz. I do believe they are sick of losing and would do whatever it takes to win.

A couple years ago they wouldn't.

 

[usernamezrhardtodo]

Wow. Did Trotz prevent Ovi from getting goals? If anything, hard defence makes other teams make mistakes and overextend. Ovi was just fine.

Oh I agree that Ovi was still great...but not MVP level great and the kids on our team seem to love the accolades that come with scoring...so while I would hire Trotz in a second...I am not sure the kids would like it too much. They already played under that system with Babs and loved being freed from it when Keefe showed up.

 

[Gabriel426]

Oh I agree that Ovi was still great...but not MVP level great and the kids on our team seem to love the accolades that come with scoring...so while I would hire Trotz in a second...I am not sure the kids would like it too much. They already played under that system with Babs and loved being freed from it when Keefe showed up.

If that’s the case, they should not be playing for the Leafs. If they don’t understand the scarifies it takes to win the Cup after losing 6 yrs in a row, what’s the point of having them on the team.

 

[killer1980]

If that’s the case, they should not be playing for the Leafs. If they don’t understand the scarifies it takes to win the Cup after losing 6 yrs in a row, what’s the point of having them on the team.

It seems like they don't understand but, more importantly, don't care. They've found a nice cushy spot where their bosses have stars in their eyes. Here's betting that the team gets treated to a fabulous holiday to reward them for their great effort this season.

 

[leafsfan5]

The difference in coaching attitudes

 

[PromisedLand]

Here is the cliff notes version of how Keefe coached this series:

• Game 2, Game 4 team did not show up to play; did not get the team prepared
• Game 6 team turtled like a bitch managing only 4 shots on goal in the 3rd period instead of going for the jugular
• ZERO adjustments on power play even though the PP had been ASS not just this playoff either btw
  • No point shot threat on PP, he stapled Gio to the bench instead of using him on PP1; the only time Gio was used on PP1 Leafs got a goal out of it
• Did not break up Matthews-Marner even though they did not have anything going 5 on 5, was content with status-quo bullshit
• Down a goal still did not f***ing make adjustments. Last change with home ice did not catch tampa with a stacked line
  • Point is out injured
  • Kucherov is playing hurt basically at 50%
  • Vasi not in the zone
  • And this coach does not even dare take advantage. Status f***ing quo
• Forced Justin Holl on the team just to prove a point to a nobody reporter like Simmons benching Lily
  • Lily did not gain any experience and the result is still the same -> 1st round exit
  • Holl has been complete GARBAGE; the OT goal in game 6 by point is a combination of Holl's complete F-up in the d-zone letting point walk across and Marner not pressuing the puck carrier
• LOSER attitude talking about "respect". WTF? Did Habs and CBJ tell him to f-off during the handshakes?
  • Was content with the split on the road
  • Content with participation trophy
  • No self critique, no remorse, no taking responsibility

And these are just the highlights, Absolute JOKE of a coach.

Cooper kept changing his lines even when he was up with a lead in the game to get the best possible match up and give his team a chance to succeed. Keefe? LOL

 

[PromisedLand]

Great coaching can produce dramatic results. Look at how Sutter turned around the Calgary team. They bought in to playoff style hockey the WHOLE season. You need the will, drive and endurance to play that style of hockey. Offense is the carrot AFTER you shut the other team down. New Jersey won several cups using this style. The Red Wings used the left wing lock and tremendous defense to win several cups. Steve Yzerman bought in when Scotty Bowman took over.

"I mentioned to him that his stats would go down, but hopefully the team would do better," Bowman told NHL.com of one of his first conversations with Yzerman when he took over as the Detroit Red Wings coach in 1993.

The "Team" first mentality and logo in the front more than the name on the back mentality went out the window the moment Lou and Babcock were no longer with this franchise.

 

[Dave92]

My god Keefe actually said they got more respect in a f***ing handshake line compared to last year...What a f***ing joke this group is.

 

[Seath The Scaleless]

In 3 winner-take-all games under Keefe, Leafs have scored 1 meaningful goal (+1 garbage time goal vs MTL)

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

The difference in coaching attitudes

It went on throughout the series too. Cooper kept calling his team out after every loss for giving out a freebie. And rather than find a way to use that, Keefe couldn't get the team to win consecutive games. Instead, he talked about how great it was to get the split in Tampa