Insider reveals why Sheldon Keefe hasn't been fired yet

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Josh tupper
May 8, 2024 (10:29)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs once again found themselves eliminated during the first round of this year's playoffs. This marked the seventh time in the last 8 years that the Maple Leafs couldn't get out of the first round. With this failure comes more changes and those changes are expected to start in the coming days.

According to multiple reports Sheldon Keefe and his entire coaching staff is expected to be relieved of their duties in the coming days. Another disappointing finish likely marks the end of Keefe's 5-year tenure in Toronto. Many people expected his firing to come the first day after the season ended, however, that was not the case.

Keefe was given the options by general manager Brad Treliving, to speak on Monday during locker room cleanout. Giving the coach the opportunity to not speak is usually a key indicator that their job is likely on the line. Today NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman revealed the following detail as to why Keefe has yet to be relieved of his duties.

«I think I have a little bit of a better idea of why this week is unfolding it is. You know, the players and Sheldon Keefe had their availability on MondayI think Wednesday is an important day in terms of meeting and planning In the organization. I don't know exactly who's all going to be in this, I don't know exactly when it's all going to happenbut I do think Wednesday is a day where they're really going to start to drill down on where things are going to go here over the next little while. I think you have to get over the emotion of the situation, everyone wanted to wait a couple of days but now it's time to start moving everything forward. One thing I believe is the NHLTuesday was draft lottery dayI don't think the league wanted a lot of news on that day (mentions the league understood Ottawa's coaching change) but the league didn't want too much to interfere with the Celebrini celebration. Also Sheldon Keefe was inducted into the Brampton Sports Hall of Fame on Tuesday night and the Maple Leafs are very sensitive of that. But I think Wednesday is going to be the day where they really start to meet and go over what's coming and I think that's why the availability was pushed from Thursday to Friday.

This provides some real context as to why the Maple Leafs have yet to make the change. It also provides a deeper detail as to why the team moved their management press conference from Thursday to Friday. It is expected in the coming hours that Keefe will meet with management at the Scotiabank Arena and news from that meeting is inevitably going to drop sooner rather than later.

This season likely marks the beginning of a new era in Toronto as the current group have failed to find success despite the numerous attempts they've been given.

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Who will be the next coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs?
Craig Berube	231	55.5 %
Dean Evason	9	2.2 %
Someone else	128	30.8 %
Sheldon Keefe won't be fired	48	11.5 %
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