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Roundtable: Evaluating the Toronto Maple Leafs Coaching Change

By Wilbert Timmermans

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 21: Head coach Sheldon Keefe of the Toronto Maple Leafs looks on from the bench during a game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on November 21, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The game was Keefe's first game as an NHL head coach. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 21: Head coach Sheldon Keefe of the Toronto Maple Leafs looks on from the bench during a game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on November 21, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The game was Keefe's first game as an NHL head coach. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 21: Head coach Sheldon Keefe (C) of the Toronto Maple Leafs shakes hands with assistant coach Dave Hakstol after defeating the Arizona Coyotes in the NHL game at Gila River Arena on November 21, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Maple Leafs defeated the Coyotes 3-1. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 21: Head coach Sheldon Keefe (C) of the Toronto Maple Leafs shakes hands with assistant coach Dave Hakstol after defeating the Arizona Coyotes in the NHL game at Gila River Arena on November 21, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Maple Leafs defeated the Coyotes 3-1. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Nick Barden

Firing Mike Babcock was the only decision that Maple Leafs management could make.

He lost the team. They weren’t playing how they usually do. Their offence was almost silent, and while we saw flashes of it, there had to be a change somewhere. Unfortunately, the change is the head coach.

With Sheldon Keefe coming in, of course, he’s going to change the styles, systems and lineup (which is a lot better now). A new look on the power play with Tyson Barrie finally on it, and Jason Spezza playing 3rd line centre.

It almost feels like it’s not real yet. Babcock was with this team for four years and he’s helped get this team to where they are today, and nothing would’ve been possible without his knowledge. But a coaching change was going to happen eventually, we all knew it was coming – we just didn’t know when.

Now, what happens? Well it’s going to take time and the Leafs won’t look good coming right out of the gate, but I say by the end of this season, they will look very good and hopefully in a playoff spot.

Even if they aren’t, people should understand, since it’s Keefe’s first coaching stint in the NHL. Toronto will benefit from this, though.

A different coach, different personality and hopefully he can bring a new, and exciting outcome that we’ve all been waiting for, the Stanley Cup.

Okay, I’m getting way too ahead of myself, and I need to stop. I think all of this will work out in the long run, but for now, I think it’s time to be patient, but also be a little excited for the future that’s coming.

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