Roundtable: Evaluating the Toronto Maple Leafs Coaching Change

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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TORONTO, ON- APRIL 16 - Brendan Shanahan and Kyle Dubas chat was they watch the Toronto Maple Leafs practice before game four against the Boston Bruins in their first round play-off series in Toronto. April 16, 2019. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON- APRIL 16 - Brendan Shanahan and Kyle Dubas chat was they watch the Toronto Maple Leafs practice before game four against the Boston Bruins in their first round play-off series in Toronto. April 16, 2019. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

Matthew Rodrigo

Let’s face it, the Leafs were slumping with Mike Babcock. Something needed to change because nothing was improving. The worst that can happen with Sheldon Keefe is that the Leafs could continue to slump.

The potential to benefit from a coaching change outweighed the risk of a coaching change (which could have possibly been to keep losing). So I definitely think the coaching change was a good move. I won’t say it was needed necessarily, but it was appropriate.

The biggest change with Keefe will simply be how he mixes up the lines. It’ll take Keefe a few games to find a lineup that he’s comfortable with, but he most definitely will try some new things out.

Moving forward, the important thing is to look at the progress for a little while to come, overlooking at progress in the standings. Keefe needs to be given the proper time to bring the game of this team to a new level.

With some time under Keefe, the results will follow soon enough.