Confirmed with Link: Sheldon Keefe Fired -- Discussion Thread

[Trapper]

Most players feel bad when the coach is let go.
Scapegoat? You think the firing was unjust?

Unjust if that’s the only domino.
Not my decision on the coach but I find it hypocritical that the core stands there using words like scapegoat when their actions led to the coach being fired. Or at least shoulder half the blame. Especially when you get comments from someone like Ferraro that Marner is either hurt or disinterested.
There was no need for them to even talk about scapegoats and finger pointing when the guy (Keefe) is taking all the blame in the next room getting hung out to dry.

So probably just due to lack of success but feels bitter to me. Not a regular coach change feeling.

 

[howlman]

Okay Marner you're next

 

[ACC1224]

Unjust if that’s the only domino.
Not my decision on the coach but I find it hypocritical that the core stands there using words like scapegoat when their actions led to the coach being fired. Or at least shoulder half the blame. Especially when you get comments from someone like Ferraro that Marner is either hurt or disinterested.
There was no need for them to even talk about scapegoats and finger pointing when the guy (Keefe) is taking all the blame in the next room getting hung out to dry.

So probably just due to lack of success but feels bitter to me. Not a regular coach change feeling

Long overdue, his own actions cost him his job. There is lots of blame to go around but he certainly shouldn't escape it.

 

[CabanaBoy5]

Better late than never.

Guessing Berube is the guy.

I'm just not sure Berube should be the guy. His track record isn't great, and even in his Stanley Cup winning year, the Blues were a wreck before Christmas. They also had an outstanding Pietrangelo anchoring that blue line. I do like the fact he appears to be a hard liner and won't accept anything less than full effort most nights. I think they should take their time and see if Brind'Amour becomes available.

 

[The Masters]

regular season record was overrated due to all the talent

god awful record, results, and play in the playoffs. always got outcoached


getting away from more dubas helps too

good step but MUCH MORE NEEDED

 

[fahad203]

Whoever is the next coach will probably get the same amount of hate. Can't wait.

If you don't perform well, you should

Many leafs fans don't hate Burns or Quinn. Because of them took this team far.

This is a result based league. Result he did not geg

 

[CabanaBoy5]

Yay!!

1 down, one to go (Marner). And ditching Marner is IMO 100 times more important than getting a new coach.

Agreed, but a little more difficult to do.

 

[Twine Tickler]

Tough to win as a coach when your top guys aren't your top guys when it matters the most.

By no means do I think Sheldon was ever an elite coach, or someone that even came close to getting the best out of his players, but I also don't think he was a terrible coach until his final year if I'm being honest. Really felt like he was becoming increasingly stubborn in his decision making this past year. Similar to Babs in his final days as the Leafs bench boss.

Sheldon is and was not the only problem with this team. I am happy to see us move on from him, but I am also not expecting this monumental shift forward with a new voice. I do want to see a coach in place that holds the players accountable shift to shift. We lack focus in critical moments in April/May and it has cost us years of post season success. Accountability and playing for the logo on the front are the only things this team needs to worry about. Luckily there are a couple coaches on the market that embody that mindset. Q and Berube to name a few.

Best of luck in the future Sheldon. It was never exclusively your fault, but as you said in your last press conference it was your responsibility.

cheers,

 

[TMLeafer]

This should have been done last year.

With a new GM coming in last minute, it would have been hasty imo. If there was no GM change, I would agree.

 

[Schenn]

It was time. He'll have a job with another team by next offseason. Time for a new voice.

 

[3blizzard4]

Now fire all the assistants. Now.

 

[ClarkSittler]

Shanahan needs to go too.

 

[Darcy Tucker]

Okay Marner you're next

I really want to see how Marner plays under a new coach. Hopefully without JT bogging him down.

 

[The Iceman]

Lol There’s 3 other openings right now,

Seattle, Winnipeg and New Jersey. Keefe would be a good fit in Seattle. Younger group, hungry. I think he’s a decent coach and a good guy, with the right personnel who want to play the right way Keefe could find success.

Would he take Mitch with him for Shane Wright and Will Borgen?

 

[ToneDog]

I really want to see how Marner plays under a new coach. Hopefully without JT bogging him down.

You will once he is traded.

 

[LeafsandSharksfan]

Respectfully:

 

[Al14]

I'm sad that Keefe lost his job.

I blame the players more than I blame him. However, he was out-coached too often, and sometimes, even by himself.

I put the most blame on Dubas, and especially on Shanahan, who allowed the Leafs core to be OVERPAID too soon. He also allowed our Leafs to be built in the opposite image of how he played hockey.

Huge changes in player personnel are STILL REQUIRED. I'd start with Marner and Rielly. I'd also work on getting Tavares to waive his NMC, or to re-sign at a HUGE team favored discount.

2 years at $4M, or under for Tavares to stay, otherwise take a hike John.

 

[robertmac43]

The worst kept secret in the league.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Agreed, but a little more difficult to do.

Maybe a lot more difficult. The first step is to decide that we want to move on from him, I sure hope that's what happens but I'm not counting on it.

 

[Drytoast]

Sutter is happy on his farm anyway. Why would he want to deal with Toronto now at his age?

because we pay well?

 

[ChurchOfMatthews]

Now find somebody who holds poor play accountable please.

 

[Stephen]

Whoever is the next coach will probably get the same amount of hate. Can't wait.

If the level of success is the same or lower over a long enough test time, yeah that will happen.

 

[MarMarSab3]

Thank GOD, next Shanny, then Marner then Reilly please and thank you

 

[Menzinger]

Curious what will happen to Boucher.

If he's fired after one year, quite a stroke of bad luck with the Leafs.

Gets a HC offer rescinded by Shanny at the literal last second so they can sign Babs, eventually comes back a few years later as an assistant to potentially face the axe before June.....

 

[Stephen]

I'm not a fan of Keefe at all. But the players who are underachieving on BIG deals need to step up. Mitch Marner comes to mind.

If Mitch Marner stepped up like young Wyatt Johnston has for Dallas this year, there’d be a public school named after Keefe by now.

In all honesty, Keefe had some positive traits, had some difficult star players to work with in terms of lack of big game ability and was also a goober. All in all, time to go.