Who will be the Next Toronto Maple Leafs Head Coach? Speculations After Sheldon Keefe Departure

Who will be the Next Toronto Maple Leafs Head Coach?

Sheldon Keefe was fired on Thursday and there are many options for the Maple Leafs to choose their 32nd head coach. People think Craig Berube might be the top choice, but Leafs general manager Brad Treliving needs to interview more candidates to make sure he's making the right decision. The Leafs said they'll start looking for a new head coach right away after letting go of Keefe. Berube is the top pick, then there's Gallant, Woodcroft, Boudreau, and Leafs assistant coach Boucher in the running.

As of now, there is no one selected for the post. The above coaches prescribed for the post of next Toronto Maple Leafs Head Coach is just a speculation, there is nothing confirmed officially. We have to wait until the Toronto Maple Leafs Head Coach announces their new coach.

Why Sheldon Keefe was Fired?

The Toronto Maple Leafs battled hard, even forcing overtime in Game 7 after falling behind three games to one against the Boston Bruins in the first round. However, despite their efforts, they lost early in the playoffs once more. As a result, coach Sheldon Keefe was fired on Thursday, as announced by the Maple Leafs.

Keefe helped the Maple Leafs reach the second round of the playoffs last season, something they hadn't done since 2004. But he also experienced three first-round losses and a defeat in the qualifying round during the 2020 postseason bubble, taking over from Mike Babcock. In August, he was given a two-year extension, meaning he'll be with the team until 2025-26 but his sudden firing is undeniable.

Who is Sheldon Keefe?

Sheldon Keefe is a Canadian who used to play hockey professionally. Now, he continued his career as a coach. He was the head coach for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the NHL. He was chosen in the second round, 47th overall, by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. After he stopped playing hockey, Keefe became the head coach for the Soo Greyhounds in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).

He also coached the Toronto Marlies, which is the Maple Leafs' team in the American Hockey League (AHL). Under his guidance, the Marlies won their first Calder Cup championship in 2018. While details about his professional life is widely known, the details about his personal life is not known.

About Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. They play in the NHL as part of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team's home is at Scotiabank Arena, previously known as Air Canada Centre, since February 1999.

Founded in 1917 as the Toronto Arenas, then renamed Toronto St. Patricks in 1919, and finally became the Maple Leafs in 1927 under Conn Smythe's ownership. The Maple Leafs, part of the "Original Six", have won 13 Stanley Cup championships, with notable dynasties from 1947 to 1951 and 1962 to 1967.

They hold the longest championship drought in NHL history at 57 seasons, with rivalries against the Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, and Ottawa Senators. The Maple Leafs retired 13 numbers to honor 19 players, a first in professional sports. Many associated with the team are in the Hockey Hall of Fame. They're currently linked with the Toronto Marlies in the AHL.