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The Toronto Maple Leafs Should Fire Head Coach Sheldon Keefe

By Jeremy Ridgewell

DENVER, COLORADO - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Sheldon Keefe of the Toronto Maple Leafs looks on against the Colorado Avalanche during the third period at Ball Arena on December 31, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Jack Dempsey/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Sheldon Keefe of the Toronto Maple Leafs looks on against the Colorado Avalanche during the third period at Ball Arena on December 31, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Jack Dempsey/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs need a coaching change. Sheldon Keefe’s time is up, and the Leafs need a new voice on the bench. How long will it be before Leafs GM Brad Treliving sends Keefe packing?

Toronto Maple Leafs fans are split on how they feel about Ryan Reaves being on the team. The perfect time to showcase why he is here would have been to put him on the ice the next time Brad Marchand stepped onto the ice after injuring defenseman Timothy Liljegren. Not doing so was a mistake by Keefe.

Under Keefe, the Leafs often fail to set the tone of a game. Too many times, the Leafs look flat or disinterested and unengaged. I think the time has come to make a coaching change and try to light a fire under this Leafs team. Treliving doesn’t even need to look very far. His next coach is already standing on the bench, Guy Boucher.

Boucher should be considered the right guy to re-energize this lifeless group. Players need to be used to the best of their abilities and strengths. That is not happening under Keefe, and it showed last night. How does Keefe not send Reaves out to punish Marchand and send a message to the rest of the NHL?

Toronto Maple Leafs Should Replace Keefe with Boucher

Guy Boucher has previously coached the Tampa Bay Lightning (2010-2013) and the Ottawa Senators (2016-2019). He also coached in the QMJHL, AHL, and overseas in Switzerland. Being hired by the Leafs has helped him get his foot back into the NHL. One has to think that Boucher would love another opportunity to be an NHL head coach. (Coaching record found at hockey-reference.com)

During his previous NHL coaching jobs, Boucher has only managed two playoff appearances, but both were trips to the conference finals.

Keefe has only managed to coach the Leafs to one first-round victory since being hired in 2019. Boucher is also a little more hard-nosed than Keefe and plays a more defensive style of hockey. A system change with Boucher as coach could be just what this Leafs team needs.

I think the sooner Keefe is fired, the better, but we’ll wait and see if things change.

One has to think if Keefe doesn’t play his players the way Treliving wants, then Treliving will show Keefe the door.

Next. Candidates to Replace Sheldon Keefe. dark

The Leafs are only ten games in, and it’s still early in the season, but something needs to change, and it needs to be soon.

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