Decades have passed since the Toronto Maple Leaf’s were contenders for Stanley Cup Championships. Things could be on the mend for this historically bad team with Sheldon Keefe, the latest Head Coach to lead this organization. Keefe doesn’t have any previous experience coaching in the National Hockey League, which is why sports analysts and fans were shocked when Keefe won fifteen of his first twenty matchups. For the first time in his career, Keefe was thanked by fans at Nathan Phillips Square. Cheers came after the Maple Leaf’s held an outdoor practice session in Toronto.
The History of Sheldon Keefe
The dramatic turnaround that Sheldon Keefe has inspired into TML is incredible. Their previous head coach was Mike Babcock, who stood at a record of 9-10-4. When he was terminated earlier this season, and Keefe was hired, those stats jumped to 24-15-6. Sheldon received this position after winning the Calder Cup with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. Since taking this position, not only has Toronto received more wins, but they’ve also improved on power-play percentages. All of these statistics provide the Maple Leaf’s a strong chance at winning the Stanley Cup. However, they’ll have to defeat the likes of the Washington Capital or Boston Bruins to acquire this championship title.
Sheldon Keefe maintains a long history with professional hockey. He first stood as a former player with the Toronto Maple Leaf’s, where he would eventually take the position of head coach for the Marlies. Keefe is one of the few to experience the evolution of modern hockey, adapting to unforeseen circumstances. It’s these qualities that make Sheldon the perfect coach and saviour for the Leaf’s. Coaching-wise, he’s known for having incredible transparency and communication with his players. It creates an open environment that promotes active growth amongst players.
Old Drama Returns for Keefe
This doesn’t mean that the historical drama surrounding the Toronto Maple Leaf’s has ended though. Sports analysts are beginning to debate the capabilities of Keefe after they’ve faced five losses in his leadership. Analysts claim that the Toronto Maple Leaf’s don’t have the strength in offence of defence to acquire the Stanley Cup. However, both the General Manager and Head Coach for the Toronto Maple Leaf’s defended this ridiculous claims. Both expressed that new strategies and in-camp developments will push the team forward to the Semi-Finals. Subsequently, fans of the Maple Leaf’s could receive their first Stanley Cup is more than several decades.