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Toronto Maple Leafs: Sheldon Keefe’s Best and Worst Decisions

By Wilbert Timmermans

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 21: Head coach Sheldon Keefe of the Toronto Maple Leafs looks up from the bench during the first period of the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on November 21, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 21: Head coach Sheldon Keefe of the Toronto Maple Leafs looks up from the bench during the first period of the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on November 21, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs transformed their roster during the offseason.

The Toronto Maple Leafs didn’t hesitate to change their roster during the offseason after the 4th consecutive playoff trauma. Dubas shipped out skilled players like Kasperi Kapanen (traded to Pittsburgh) and Andreas Johnsson (traded to New Jersey) and brought in experience and grit with Wayne Simmonds and Joe Thornton.

Given a more balanced roster compared to the roster Sheldon Keefe had when taking over the baton from Mike Babcock as head coach last season, Keefe made a lot of changes to the Toronto offensive lines and to a lesser extent, the defensive lines.

Despite losing the likes of Kapanen and Johnsson, two very complementary offensive pieces that gave extraordinary depth to the Toronto Maple Leafs bottom-six and special teams, Keefe managed to balance out both the bottom six forwards as well as the special teams.

Due to injuries sustained thus far in the season, Keefe has made more changes throughout the line-up than he would have had done otherwise or would have been comfortable with, Keefe even had to dress 7 defenseman on a few occasions.

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Sheldon Keefe.

Despite the injuries, the Toronto Maple Leafs have been faring rather well under Keefe since the season’s delayed start. Comfortably sitting in the North Division’s top seed and in the contest for the top seed around the league.

It’s the reason why we’ve asked our writing staff the following roundtable question this week; “What has been Sheldon Keefe’s best or worst roster decisions so far?”

Let’s find out!

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