Sheldon Keefe, the head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, was sacked, the team confirmed on Thursday.
The team released a statement saying, “The organization will immediately begin the search for a new head coach.”
Keefe expressed his eternal gratitude for being given the chance to lead the Leafs in a video posted on X, the previous Twitter platform.
For a Brampton boy, it’s a dream come true,” he remarked.
Keefe’s Maple Leafs finished 212-97-40 in 349 games during the regular season.
With Keefe in the bench, the squad had three straight seasons with 100 points or more, highlighted by a record-tying 115 points in 2021–2022.
With Keefe in charge, the Leafs had a 16–21 postseason record overall with only one playoff round victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning the previous season. Nevertheless, they frequently lost in the tournament. Toronto succumbed to the Boston Bruins in the seventh game of the series last weekend, capping an uneventful 2023–24 season.
The Leafs made it to the second round for the first time in over 20 years last spring, which helped the team finally overcome a terrible playoff rut, but Keefe was unable to maintain that momentum.
In 2023, Toronto lost to the Florida Panthers in a dull series of five games in the second round, and less than two weeks later, general manager Kyle Dubas was let off.
After a turbulent period that raised concerns about Keefe’s future, the Brampton, Ontario, coach was fired. However, after taking over as general manager, Brad Treliving decided to retain the Dubas supporter and signed him to a contract extension that would last until 2025–2026.
The choice made today was challenging,” Treliving stated in a statement. “Sheldon is a fantastic coach and a kind man, but we came to the conclusion that the team needs a fresh perspective in order to persevere and accomplish our ultimate objective.
“We thank Sheldon for his hard work and dedication to the organization over the last nine years, and wish him and his family all the very best.”
What will happen to the assistant coaches on the team is unknown. In their statement on Thursday, the Leafs stated that “decisions regarding the remainder of the coaching staff will follow.”
The team’s struggles in the postseason have often been attributed to its special teams, and this most recent seven-game series against the Bruins was no different. Because assistant coach Guy Boucher managed the power play, the Leafs’ one power play goal in 21 attempts against the Bruins may raise questions about his future.
Sheldon Keefe, the head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, was sacked, the team confirmed on Thursday. Natasha Fatah of CBC News Network discussed decision-making with hockey podcaster and YouTuber Steve “Dangle” Glynn.
Keefe says Leaf fans deserve Stanley Cup
Keefe commended the team’s management and support staff, as well as his players, for their efforts throughout his stay in a video statement released on Thursday.
He described his dismissal as a necessary aspect of being employed by the NHL.
“I failed to lead our team to victory and accomplish our goals throughout the playoffs. I take ownership of that. Make no excuses. That’s the task, and I failed to complete it,” Keefe remarked.
“Leafs country, you ought to win the Stanley Cup. You have an unrivaled passion both at home and while traveling.
After taking over as head coach in November 2019, the 43-year-old Keefe saw his team win 13 of his final 14 playoff games with two goals or fewer. This was far from enough, especially considering the “core four” of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and John Tavares make up nearly half of the team’s salary cap.
Toronto Maple Leafs’ Tyler Bertuzzi (59) leaves the ice between John Tavares (91) and Morgan Rielly (44) after the team lost to the Boston Bruins in overtime, ending the Leafs’ playoff run. (Michael Dwyer/The Associated Press) The Leafs also routinely had the second best goaltender in most of the team’s playoff appearances, with the exception being last season’s win against the Lightning. Keefe also led the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies to a Calder Cup title in 2018. Treliving, who is set to enter his second season running the team, is scheduled to address the media Friday morning alongside new Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment president and CEO Keith Pelley, who now runs the team’s parent company, and Leafs president Brendan Shanahan.
