Stanley Cup champion and Jack Adams winner may have an interest in coaching the Leafs
The Leafs are sitting on a 4-3-0 record after 7 games. It's actually better than what they had at this time last season, but the problem is that the Leafs appear to be exhibiting the same bad habits they've had for years now. They play down to their opponents. They don't start on time and they consistently fail to clear the front of the net in their own end or to clear the zone when they have the opportunity. Some blame the players, calling them lazy or entitled. Many though, are wondering if Sheldon Keefe is the right man for the head coaching job.
The biggest knock against Keefe is that he has failed to snap the Leafs out of their bad habits. On paper, the roster looks like one of the strongest in the NHL. On the ice, they are less than the sum of their parts. Whatever Keefe's coaching strategy is, it's not currently working. The frustration is evident with the Leafs' bench boss as well. He's taken shots at his players through the media after every loss this season, criticizing their effort, execution and attention to detail. The problem is, while it's on the players to execute, it's his job to fix those issues and put them in a position to succeed.
Keefe holds the highest winning percentage of any Leafs coach all time. One has to wonder if it's a result of his coaching, or simply the roster Kyle Dubas has put together. Given the long history between the Leafs coach and GM, it's not likely Dubas pulls the trigger on firing him unless things go seriously off the rails, or a fantastic replacement candidate comes along.
Among the extremely small list of suitable candidates who don't currently have NHL jobs already - Barry Trotz. Trotz coached the Washington Capitals to a Stanley Cup in 2018 and took a mediocre Islanders team to the Eastern Conference Final in 2020 and again in 2021. Trotz was awarded the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's best coach in 2016 and again in 2019. I have to admit, after seeing what he was able to to with an Islanders roster void of any true star talent, I'd be very interested to see what he could do with the Leafs.
In a recent appearance on the Cam and Strick podcast, Trotz was asked whether he would have interest in coaching in Canada. He answered by pointing out the challenges that come with coaching in such hockey crazed markets, but interestingly, he said that he is intrigued by the idea of coaching an Original Six team. That would narrow the list to Toronto and Montreal. With the Habs just having extended Martin St. Louis, that really only leaves Toronto.
The Leafs going from a relative newcomer in Sheldon Keefe to a 24-year NHL veteran with the resume that Trotz has would be a massive shake up for the organization. Trotz's focus on team defense and creating rush chances off of turnovers would be a welcome change for many in the fanbase. The question is, would it be the right change for this core?
You can hear Trotz's full remarks below.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 25 | 414 ANSWERS Stanley Cup champion and Jack Adams winner may have an interest in coaching the Leafs Should the Leafs can Sheldon Keefe after rocky start and hire Barry Trotz? | ||
| Yes | 289 | 69.8 % |
| No | 125 | 30.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
