A new era is upon us behind the Toronto Maple Leafs’ bench.
The organization announced on Thursday morning that they had fired head coach Sheldon Keefe and that the team “will immediately begin the search for a new head coach, and decisions regarding the remainder of the coaching staff will follow.”
Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving signed Keefe to a two-year extension last season after getting to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2004. However, after another first-round defeat, Toronto decided that “a new voice” for the dressing room was needed.
The available crop of experienced NHL head coaches is limited. But, there are still a few names that could fit the mould that Toronto is looking for: A coach that can help “the team push through to reach our ultimate goal.”
It’s likely not going to be current Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour, who’s in the final year of his contract. If there’s anyone who has a passion for winning and could light a fire under this current Maple Leafs roster, it’s him.
However, there are two reasons why that hire is unlikely.
Treliving wants to “act quickly,” per TSN’s Darren Dreger, and, Brind’Amour is currently in the middle of a playoff series against the New York Rangers in the second round of the playoffs. Brind’Amour has also publicly expressed his desire to stay in Carolina, saying that he remains optimistic that a deal can get done with Hurricanes president and general manager Don Waddell.
Most recently with the L.A. Kings, McLellan has the most experience among the top available head coaches. He was an assistant coach with the Detroi Red Wings for three seasons and won a Stanley Cup in 2008.
McLellan then became the head coach of the San Jose Sharks. He was there from 2008 to 2015 and took them to the conference finals in back-to-back seasons (2010 and 2011).
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