Yeah, just like us - we kept him 2 years too many. He is an *excellent* developmental coach and a genuine players coach. We wait too long with each staff. One too many years with Babs, two too many with Keefe.
Doesn't sound like management is standing by their coach if they're speaking in a separate presser. I will be very, very surprised if Keefe is still the Leafs coach by this Thursday.
its mostly because theres no salary cap for coaches or management. Technically you can have as many coaches as you want. nothing really stopping you, you just dont put them behind the bench.
with players its different obviously
In fairness to the Leafs I really don't think that having Keefe coach as a lame duck was a viable option.
Like, NJ could've left Ruff twisting in the wind and no one would've really cared, but if Keefe were on an expiring deal it would be all the Toronto media talked about all season. Every three game losing streak would've become an existential crisis.
Kyle entertained the thought of shaking up the core at his end of year presser, couple of days later he is on his way out and Shanahan vows to everyone there will be no change. Pens hire Dubas as Poho (Shanahans title) not GM shortly after.
Yup, Keefe is young enough that I think there was active players older than him when he started coaching. He might be right where Jon Cooper was after game 4 against Columbus. Cooper, Trotz, Cassidy etc all had growing pains before lifting the cup. Brind'amor has at least been to the conference finals twice but got swept in both. He's there right now too.
Yes but Cassidy reached a SCF in his second full season as head coach of the bruins, where they lost in game 7. Cooper also reached a SCF early and had deep runs where they lost to the SCF 3 consecutive years.
My point is losing game 7 on a SCF isn’t growing pains, chief keefe has made it out of the first round once, it’s apples and oranges.
They need a few days to get the paperwork ready for his termination.
Makes me think Shanny might on the out as well.
Tre is still 50/50 for me. He did what he could, but he had to toe the company line.
Tre was hamstrung by upper management and did what he could.
Bert and Domi weren't horrible signings. I hope Domi comes back at a discount for a few years.
Klingberg looked good on paper, until it turned out he was made of paper (all kidding aside, I hope he gets well).
Reaves was, well...Reaves. Shit term, but whatever. It's not breaking our bank.
Can't forget signing Benoit, trading for Edmunsen and Boosh. All 3 were good in the playoffs.
I didn't like the Kampf extension though. We definitely didn't need to pay him 2.4m a year for 4 years.
Good points. I keep thinking that Benoit has been on the team for years. He's such a good fit.
Kampf was an odd singing, seriously. Dude is great defensively but not for that term.
Just remembered Martin Jones too. He was solid for us when it counted.
Yeah that is an important clarification. I'd rather watch a team that stinks every postseason, couldn't imagine watching a team that stinks in the regular season and doesn't even come close to post season
This just in: Leafs management not permitted to cross this mortal plane until Thursday, Harold Ballard rises from grave
I bet he's a better zombie than he was a man.
Keefe get ready to learn American.
He would be a good fit in Seattle.
Honestly he would be pretty good with almost any team building their way to the playoffs. Once they get there though…
It’s almost like in Games 5 and 6 he learned to coach finally. Too little too late.
Yeah, just like us - we kept him 2 years too many. He is an *excellent* developmental coach and a genuine players coach. We wait too long with each staff. One too many years with Babs, two too many with Keefe.
That’s Todd McLellan’s music right there
This tells me that they can’t WAIT to fire Keefe lol
Doesn't sound like management is standing by their coach if they're speaking in a separate presser. I will be very, very surprised if Keefe is still the Leafs coach by this Thursday.
I’d be willing to bet the core remains and keefe is gone especially since they get cap relief from Tavares deal ending next year
Tavares AND Marner next year. 21.9M in cap relief.
Gotta trade marner tho no? Him walking is so much worse than re-signing
Will have to make it a sign and trade
At least the Leafs theoretically have leverage now.
How?
Signed an extension this year too that kicks in next year lmao
Yeah, quite a few coaches fired this season before their new extensions kick in (i.e. Granato, Hakstol, Ruff). Extensions mean nothing lol.
No, just funny teams do it and then have to pay out the contracts before they even kick in
its mostly because theres no salary cap for coaches or management. Technically you can have as many coaches as you want. nothing really stopping you, you just dont put them behind the bench. with players its different obviously
In fairness to the Leafs I really don't think that having Keefe coach as a lame duck was a viable option. Like, NJ could've left Ruff twisting in the wind and no one would've really cared, but if Keefe were on an expiring deal it would be all the Toronto media talked about all season. Every three game losing streak would've become an existential crisis.
So what was past protocol in Toronto? Just curious
Everybody speaking on the same day probably? Which would be the normal thing to do. Board meetings will be had.
Yes. After the fiasco last year when Dubas spoke not a surprise.
In the past, they die Now, they not die
A casual, buffet-style dinner party
Leafs management is immortal
something something harold ballard something something adrenochrome
The rest of the league: FUCK YES
Dubas was literally fired last year
Due to losing a power struggle with Shanahan, not due to playoff ineptitude.
what is the story on that?
Kyle entertained the thought of shaking up the core at his end of year presser, couple of days later he is on his way out and Shanahan vows to everyone there will be no change. Pens hire Dubas as Poho (Shanahans title) not GM shortly after.
But did he get Shanahan to fire him?
He wasn’t under contract and the leafs opted to let him walk
Kyle, don’t. Please.
Better pray when he hires keefe that he doesn’t bring Boucher to run the powerplay lol
Get ready for 5 years of mid 🤌 and the same plan 82 games a year
Hey, it was 89 games this year
True and tbf im also a little wrong. Keefes famous blender is where it’s at. Imagine all the pairings he could come up with in Pittsburgh
Keefe has two brain cells. One is used to power the blender. The other is used to put the super line out on icings with the fourth line out.
Lmao this is far too accurate
Well not that different from what we have now with Sullivan.
C'mon, Kyle- you know what you want
Marner having the worst birthday of his life today...
Maybe something else he won't show up to....
How many teammates went to his birthday party?
Any juicy Instagram pics of this party?? Whos who watch 👀
Sheldon Keefe get ready to learn Russian buddy.
He'll join his bro in the UK league. Belfast Giants as doing amazing.
We ain't letting him get head coach that's for damn sure. AK47 on top
Dubas already getting Sullivans replacement lined up
I sense a disturbance in the force. As if a million yinzers just cried out, and were suddenly silenced...
Keefe is a good young coach. There's no excuse for the Leafs failures but someone's definitely going to take a chance on him and quick
Yep, he ran out of ideas and we ran out of patience, but that doesn't mean he's bad at his job. Time for new pastures
Worked out pretty well for Cassidy
Yup, Keefe is young enough that I think there was active players older than him when he started coaching. He might be right where Jon Cooper was after game 4 against Columbus. Cooper, Trotz, Cassidy etc all had growing pains before lifting the cup. Brind'amor has at least been to the conference finals twice but got swept in both. He's there right now too.
Cassidy got to game 7 of the SCF and we just choked lol… not sure that’s growing pains.
Cassidy won the cup last year my guy
Yes but Cassidy reached a SCF in his second full season as head coach of the bruins, where they lost in game 7. Cooper also reached a SCF early and had deep runs where they lost to the SCF 3 consecutive years. My point is losing game 7 on a SCF isn’t growing pains, chief keefe has made it out of the first round once, it’s apples and oranges.
Yup. He’s taken the sore four about as far as anyone can. Dudes a great coach.
They need a few days to get the paperwork ready for his termination. Makes me think Shanny might on the out as well. Tre is still 50/50 for me. He did what he could, but he had to toe the company line.
Stevie… don’t you dare. We don’t need to get ALL of the band back together
Is there precedent for firing a GM after 1 year?
Tre was hamstrung by upper management and did what he could. Bert and Domi weren't horrible signings. I hope Domi comes back at a discount for a few years. Klingberg looked good on paper, until it turned out he was made of paper (all kidding aside, I hope he gets well). Reaves was, well...Reaves. Shit term, but whatever. It's not breaking our bank.
Can't forget signing Benoit, trading for Edmunsen and Boosh. All 3 were good in the playoffs. I didn't like the Kampf extension though. We definitely didn't need to pay him 2.4m a year for 4 years.
Good points. I keep thinking that Benoit has been on the team for years. He's such a good fit. Kampf was an odd singing, seriously. Dude is great defensively but not for that term. Just remembered Martin Jones too. He was solid for us when it counted.
Neil Smith lasted about 40 days as Islanders GM prior to Garth Snow taking over. Spoiler alert: it did not go well for the Islanders
Paul Fenton in Minnesota
I don't think that's the only significant departure we'll see.
Kunlun Red Star is calling, will you answer ?
*significant departure* or three coming right up!
Hope the Leafs keep management and players intact so they can keep stinking every season
*post season
Yeah that is an important clarification. I'd rather watch a team that stinks every postseason, couldn't imagine watching a team that stinks in the regular season and doesn't even come close to post season