NHL Insider reveals some potential options to take over coaching duties in Toronto if Keefe is indeed replaced
For the Toronto Maple Leafs, the 2022-23 season has not gotten off to the worst start, but there's certainly nothing to write home about either. A 4-4-2 record for a team with as much on the line as the Leafs have this year is certainly concerning and there's been significant chatter about whether or not Sheldon Keefe will make it through the season.
Now, I don't expect Sheldon Keefe to be fired one year after setting a franchise record for both wins and points, but he does need to figure out a way to right the ship, and fast. The Leafs can't afford to be losing so much ground this early. If the goal is to make the playoffs and to have home ice advantage and a potentially weaker opponent in round 1, they'll have to get things right fast.
If they do continue down the same road and continue to drop games at the rate they are now, we could certainly see a coaching change and potentially more. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman revealed a few of the potential candidates to take over in Toronto if it does come to that.
"There's a lot of veteran coaches out there who would like another shot, guys like Travis Green to guys like Claude Julien to Alain Vigneault and others... TOR could simply say we want someone like that for the rest of the year if they really wanted to do that"
-Friedman on some potential coaching options for the Leafs
There's also Stanley Cup winner Barry Trotz as well, though it is believed that Trotz may be looking for an opportunity to start as a coach and transition into a GM role somewhere. If things continue at the rate they are now, both scenarios might be an option for Trotz sooner than later.
While there's still plenty of time for the Buds to turn it around, much like they did around this point last season, if they do decide it's time for another new voice behind the bench, those are some pretty significant names who are out there.
POLL |
OCTOBRE 31 | 509 ANSWERS NHL Insider reveals some potential options to take over coaching duties in Toronto if Keefe is indeed replaced Who is the best option to replace Keefe if he does get fired? |
Vigneault | 27 | 5.3 % |
Green | 28 | 5.5 % |
Trotz | 424 | 83.3 % |
Julien | 30 | 5.9 % |
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