Sheldon Keefe a huge reason why the Leafs have struggled to start the season
Through 4 games, the Leafs find themselves in a similar position to how they began last season, playing up and down and compiling a .500 record, 2-2-0, playing down to their opponents in 2 of those games, against a pair of bottom feeders in Montreal and Chicago.
Obviously, it's still early in the season, so we're probably still in the "we shouldn't overreact yet" hemisphere, but when you consider that this team could very well be 0-4-0 right now after trailing in every single game they've played, it's certainly a cause for at least some concern.
The Leafs really have no excuses anymore. They beat Tampa in round 1 last season, exorcizing at least some of their playoff demons. They were among the top teams in the entire league last season wnd they've brought back the entire core and head coach from that team. There's really no good reason why they're still struggling to find their way when other top teams seem to be putting it together just fine right now. Vegas is 5-0-0 to begin the season, Boston is 3-0-0 despite losing both of their top-6 centers in Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci and the Avs are 4-0-0 without their captain in the lineup.
Yes, the players deserve some blame - a large portion of it, in fact - but Sheldon Keefe must also shoulder some of the blame for how he has handled his lineup decisions through 4 games. His bull-headed commitment to playing Matthews and Marner together when splitting them up solves multiple problems is certainly a choice. But also, the way he has handled his rookies and a pair of his new wingers is questionable at best.
When Fraser Minten made the Leafs out of training camp, it was a pleasant surprise, to say the least. Minten earned every inch of his opportunity, as did Knies. However, a revolving door of linemates early on here isn't helping either of them to build any real chemistry with anyone on the team. Similarly, the way Max Domi has bounced around and the decision to play Bertuzzi last night in Florida at less than 100% are strange decisions.
Domi can play any forward position, yes. However, he's still new to the team and needs time to acclimate to his new teammates and the new system. Bouncing him from spot to spot and line to line isn't giving him a real chance to settle in. I get that he hasn't been great through 4 games, but Keefe is not helping him by not letting him spend any time in any one spot.
On Bertuzzi, yes, that top line has slowly been getting better game after game, but Bertuzzi playing at less than 100% this early into the season isn't the wisest decision, especially when you consider his long history of health concerns. Why not simply play 11F/7D like Keefe did on so many occasions last season? They have Simon Benoit up with the team and as a 7th defenseman, surely he isn't going to factor into the game all that much. Also, if Keefe truly does want to get Knies more opportunity, going 11F/7D would have allowed Keefe to assign Knies a few extra shifts last night in Florida.
On Minten, he has played with Knies, Domi, Jarnkrok and even Bertuzzi for a short stint across only 4 games. What is he trying to teach this kid about consistency when he can't even give Minten consistent linemates?
It's early, I know, but if you're looking for someone to blame for a lackluster start, yes, the players deserve some blame, but Sheldon Keefe is the puppetmaster here and he's not doing a great job of putting his team in the best position to win games either.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 20 | 265 ANSWERS Sheldon Keefe a huge reason why the Leafs have struggled to start the season How long do you think Keefe keeps his job if this rough patch continues? | ||
| He'll be gone by Christmas | 112 | 42.3 % |
| He'll be gone by the All-Star Game | 37 | 14 % |
| They just extended him, he's not going anywhere | 72 | 27.2 % |
| I think he'll fix it in short order here | 44 | 16.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
