NHL: Leafs players not thinking about Sheldon Keefe’s future; The name Barry Trotz

The Toronto Maple Leafs and their head coach Sheldon Kave are already going through a storm after a disappointing start to the season.

After losing four of their last five games at opposition rinks during a trip, pressure is building ahead of the team’s return in front of their home fans Wednesday night against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Even if dismissal rumors spread, players do not worry about the job security of their head coach.

“We’re trying to win games, that’s all we think about,” said defender Morgan Riley.

Players do not agree that Keefe’s job is in jeopardy.

“We are a hockey team that wants to win games,” said striker Mitchell Marner. Keefe did a great job with this team when he arrived. If you look at our numbers, we’ve already improved a lot of things and he’s done a great job here. It is very good to play with him. For us, it’s just about making sure it starts with our effort and our responsibility and once we get those two things, I think we’re going to really move in the right direction.

Marner’s comments may set rumors that the relationship between the two men is very strained, especially after Marner lost to the Anaheim Ducks.

“I take a lot of responsibility for myself, and [Keefe] Marner said. No matter who you are, you have to show that every player is responsible no matter what. I don’t have a problem with that. »

Keefe is 120-54-21 in 195 games over four seasons since replacing Mike Babcock as Toronto coach on November 20, 2019. The Maple Leafs lost all three playoffs during his tenure.

“I think we can improve especially in terms of team cohesion, how we get out of our zone, cross the neutral zone and attack from there,” Keefe explained after training his team.

When asked about the growing frustration of Leafs fans, striker Auston Matthews has made no secret that he’s also struggling with some tough emotions.

“I think we’re disappointed, too,” Matthews said. I think it’s not a one-way street. We want to be better, win matches and play at our level. We expect a lot from each other. »

Barry Trotz’s name started to spread

If Keefe loses his position, many observers are raising Barry Trotz’s name as a possible successor.

However, RDS contributor Pierre Lebrun noted that Trotz “wasn’t ready” to get back behind a NHL seat right away.

Trotz would like to settle some family issues before considering returning to service from December.

LeBron also notes that a change of coach would be too costly for the Toronto organization, which still pays Mike Babcock $5.8 million a season, due to an eight-year contract signed in 2015.

With the $2 million salary ordered by Keefe, the Maple Leafs will have to pay inactive coaches $7.8 million, even before negotiating the terms of a deal with Trotz or another potential replacement.

“So we know the MLSE has deep pockets, but that’s something to keep in mind,” adds LeBrun.