Friedman confirms Leafs' interest in Stanley Cup winning coach
Photo credit: RDS
After a disappointing exit in Round 1, the Toronto Maple Leafs are facing a lot of changes this summer and Sheldon Keefe's could be among the first heads to roll.
Going down 3-1 in a series is never easy, but coming back from a 3-1 deficit while constantly facing elimination is far more difficult. To the Leafs' credit, clawing their way back into the series was very gutsy, but in the end, they still fell short of the goal.
During Monday's edition of 32 Thoughts, Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek discussed the coaching situation in Toronto. Friedman believes that, while Keefe is a better coach than many think, the Leafs may indeed be weighing their options for a potential coaching change.
"Honestly, I think Keefe is a better coach than the market gives him credit for. I wouldn't be surprised at all if Keefe ends up going somewhere else and proving his critics in Toronto wrong.
I think he did a good job in very difficult circumstances this year with all of the injuries and everything... It would not surprise me in the least if he goes somewhere else and does really well. But look, I do think the Maple Leafs are going to look at what else is out there."
I think he did a good job in very difficult circumstances this year with all of the injuries and everything... It would not surprise me in the least if he goes somewhere else and does really well. But look, I do think the Maple Leafs are going to look at what else is out there."
Is Craig Berube the best option for the Maple Leafs right now if they opt for a coaching change?
One of the most recently mentioned names in connection with the Maple Leafs is Craig Berube, the former head coach of the St. Louis Blues, who was relieved of his duties back in December. Berube has patiently been waiting and weighing his options. He has received plenty of interest over the last 5 months, but has yet to commit, which could indicate that he's waiting for the right opportunity.
Is Berube potentially waiting to see what happens in Toronto before making a decision? Maybe, maybe not - but either way, Friedman believes that the Leafs would be interested in him.
"It's impossible to believe they don't have some ideas. It's also impossible to believe, knowing the way this organization thinks and knowing the way that they constructed their roster, especially during the season, that they haven't or wouldn't have considered someone like [Craig] Berube. So, one of the things that happens here is they figure out, potentially, what are their alternatives?"
With the Leafs' players, as well as Sheldon Keefe, set to speak with the media today, we're all waiting to see how this all unfolds. Unfortunately, though, with the management team not speaking until later this week (Thursday), we may not have an official announcement on Keefe today.
| POLL | ||
MAI 6 | 938 ANSWERS Friedman confirms Leafs' interest in Stanley Cup winning coach Is Craig Berube the best option for the next head coach in Toronto? | ||
| Yes | 580 | 61.8 % |
| No | 358 | 38.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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