Maple Leafs fire head coach Sheldon Keefe

The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe, the team announced on Thursday.

The organization said it would immediately begin searching for a new head coach and decide on the rest of the staff in the coming days. Keefe’s staff included Guy Boucher, Mike Van Ryn, Dean Chynoweth, Manny Malhotra, and Curtis Sanford.

Keefe addressed media members on Monday after it was announced that general manager Brad Treliving, President Brendan Shanahan and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) President Keith Pelley would speak on Friday.

“We’re in the results business here, and we didn’t get results,” Keefe said at his final news conference with the Leafs. “We haven’t met expectations. And as a head coach, I take responsibility for that.”

Treliving signed Keefe to a two-year extension in August that was set to kick in at the start of next season.

“Today’s decision was difficult. Sheldon is an excellent coach and a great man; however, we determined a new voice is needed to help the team push through to reach our ultimate goal,” Treliving said. “We thank Sheldon for his hard work and dedication to the organization over the last nine years and wish him and his family all the very best.”

Keefe uploaded a video on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying it was an honour to coach the Maple Leafs and thanked various members of the organization, including former general managers Kyle Dubas, Lou Lamoriello, Treliving and Shanahan.

“It was a dream come true for a boy from Brampton,” Keefe said. “I didn’t get it done in the playoffs. I didn’t push our team over the line and deliver. I accept responsibility for that. No excuses. That’s the job, and I didn’t get it done.”

Keefe leaves behind regular season success, playoff failures

Keefe also shouted out his players for their work ethic over the years, noting that they made him look good on many nights.

“Anyone who suited up for the blue and white, I appreciate you,” Keefe said. “Players and support staff will drive this team to success, and I believe it will win. Leafs’ nation, you deserve a Stanley Cup.”

The 43-year-old was behind the bench for five seasons after replacing head coach Mike Babcock midway through 2019-20. Keefe has the third-best regular season record (212-97-40) in Maple Leafs history, trailing only Pat Quinn and Punch Imlach.

The 2021-22 team registered a team-record 115 points and the 2022-23 Maple Leafs team followed that up with 111 points, second all-time. Keefe’s .665 regular-season points percentage ranks first among all NHL head coaches who have coached at least 300 games.

The Maple Leafs have qualified for the playoffs in each of the five years under Keefe, advancing past the first round only once, good for a 16-21 post-season record. Toronto was just eliminated in seven games by the Boston Bruins, who advanced to play the Florida Panthers.

Before being hired to replace Babcock, Keefe coached the Toronto Marlies for five seasons from 2015-15 to 2019-20. Dubas, Keefe and the Marlies won the AHL’s Calder Cup in 2017-18.