Odds say Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe could be on the chopping block
There are always big expectations for the Maple Leafs in the Toronto market and with those expectations comes intense scrutiny. With a string of first-round playoff exits, a slow start to the season and a fanbase growing more impatient by the day, could head coach Sheldon Keefe’s job be in jeopardy?
Sheldon Keefe
The 42-year-old Keefe began his coaching career at the Junior A level in 2004 following a journeyman playing career that saw him suit up in 125 NHL games. Keefe worked his way through the OHL and AHL (winning a Calder Cup with the Toronto Marlies in 2018) ranks before being named Mike Babcock’s replacement as head coach of the Leafs on Nov. 20, 2019.
Since then, Keefe has compiled a solid 116-50-19 record in the regular season. The problem is his post-season record. Toronto has failed to win a playoff series with Keefe in charge, falling to Columbus (qualifying round), Montreal and Tampa Bay in the first round of the post-season over the last three years.
It may not be fair to put all the blame on Keefe, but it’s a lot easier to replace a coach than it is to replace players or the general manager. Riding a four-game losing streak and sitting second-last in the Atlantic Division despite being a Stanley Cup contender won’t be tolerated much longer before Toronto is forced to make a major change somewhere in the organization.
Toronto Maple Leafs playoff record under Sheldon Keefe:
2019-20: Lost in Game 5 of qualifying round against Columbus Blue Jackets
2020-21: Lost in Game 7 of first round against Montreal Canadiens
2021-22: Lost in Game 7 of first round against Tampa Bay Lightning
Replacement Candidates
Barry Trotz
Barry Trotz was the hottest coaching free agent in the off-season and the fact he is not behind an NHL bench right now is entirely his decision. He has a 914-670-60-168 (W-L-T-OTL) career regular season record split between Nashville, Washington and the New York Islanders. Trotz lasted a staggering 15 seasons with the Predators, guided the Capitals to a Stanley Cup championship and made it as far as the Eastern Conference Final with the Islanders. This would be a reliable, safe pick for the Leafs.
Claude Julien
Claude Julien has to be an attractive option to consider. The 62-year-old is one of the most veteran coaches not currently behind a bench, stringing together a 667-455-10-152 regular season record over 18 years in charge of Montreal (twice), New Jersey and Boston. More importantly, he’s proven he can win a playoff rounds, capturing a Stanley Cup with the Bruins in 2011 and reaching the Stanley Cup Final again in 2015.
Joel Quenneville
Joel Quenneville has some hurdles to clear before being allowed behind an NHL bench again because of the Kyle Beach scandal, but there is a possibility he finds his way back in the league. He’s second all-time in NHL wins, recording a 969-572-77-150 regular season record across 24 years and guided the Chicago Blackhawks to three Stanley Cup championships (he also won a Cup as an assistant with Colorado in 1996). All told, Quenneville has missed the playoffs just four times in a quarter century and will become just the second coach ever to hit 1,000 career wins if he gets another NHL job.
Rick Tocchet
Rick Tocchet has had a successful gig as a TNT analyst since being fired by Arizona following the 2020-21 season, but he has made it clear he wants to be behind an NHL bench again. Over seven seasons split between Tampa Bay and Arizona, Tocchet had a 178-200-60 regular season record, but made the playoffs just once and didn’t make it out of the first round. Tocchet would be more of a gamble, but he’s a tough coach that isn’t afraid to be demanding with star players.
Travis Green
It would be fitting if Travis Green replaced Keefe in Toronto as it was Green’s Canucks that upset the Maple Leafs in the 2020 playoff bubble. He had a 133-147-34 record over five seasons in Vancouver, but he made the playoffs just once. The upside of Green is that he knows what it’s like to coach in a Canadian market and he has experience guiding a team to the second round of the playoffs.
Dave Tippett
Dave Tippett is a long shot as he’s gone on the record to say that although he hasn’t ruled out returning behind a bench, he likely won’t. With a 648-475-28-124 regular season record and 10 playoff appearances over 17 seasons split between Dallas, Arizona and Edmonton, Tippett’s worth a shot if he’s willing to coach again. Could the opportunity to coach an Original Six team with legitimate Stanley Cup aspirations be enough to entice him back behind the bench?
Alain Vigneault
Alain Vigneault is a former Jack Adams Award winner and another veteran coach that likely won’t return behind an NHL bench. He has a 722-489-35-117 regular season record in charge of Montreal, Vancouver, the New York Rangers and Philadelphia. Vigneault guided the Rangers to the Stanley Cup Final twice, losing to Boston in 2011 and L.A. in 2014.
Guy Boucher
Guy Boucher has been out of the league since being fired by Ottawa in 2019, reportedly turning down head coach and associate coach opportunities to focus on a family situation. Boucher has made it known he is ready to return to the NHL and he could be a solid candidate. He has a 191-187-46 record over six seasons with Tampa Bay and Ottawa, reaching the Eastern Conference Final once with each team.
Mike Babcock
Just kidding, Leafs fans.
