Change was wanted, change was expected and now, change has happened.

Sheldon Keefe was “relieved of his duties as head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs.” a fancy term for you’re fired.

Sheldon Keefe has been relieved of his role as head coach. The organization will immediately begin the search for a new head coach.

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) May 9, 2024

This decision is one that was needed as the last few years Sheldon who sure did lead the Leafs to the playoffs every year, but when it mattered most, Sheldon crumbled and even his quote after the teams game 7 loss, left fans scratching their heads.

"When teams play the Leafs, they set up the game for the Leafs to beat themselves."

Sheldon Keefe discusses how the Leafs beat themselves in certain games. pic.twitter.com/mo5Na8X0ah

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 5, 2024

Here is a stat that will really upset people.

Best regular season PTS% (min. 300 games):
Sheldon Keefe: .665
Rod Brind’Amour: .664
Scotty Bowman: .657

Worst playoff series record (min. 5 series):
Frank Patrick: 0-7 (.000)
Bob Berry: 1-7 (.125)
Sheldon Keefe: 1-5 (.167) pic.twitter.com/aGZuUyIhxJ

— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) May 9, 2024

Now was Sheldon a good coach? Yes, but he also had some bad moments, like getting out of the first round once, having a 1-7 series playoff record, while winning 65% of regular season games he coached in, and playing Matthews and Marner together when times got desperate. Sheldon however did take the time to thank fans in a nice video on social media that will leave a not so sour taste in Maple Leafs fans mouths.

Thank you, Leafs Nation 💙✌️ pic.twitter.com/WN4iXJZjjE

— Sheldon Keefe (@SheldonKeefe) May 9, 2024

Now my first thought was that Sheldon has a Twitter? In all seriousness, it was a very classy gesture to hear it from the horse’s mouth instead of a written statement, you can tell he’s being honest, sincere and apologetic to not getting the Maple Leafs to their full potential. What happens next for him will be a head coach somewhere but I think he may take this season off, after all he is owed money from MLSE for the next two years.

For Toronto, we will see who is next but they need an experienced voice who knows how to win and knows how to light a fire under some players asses.

Maple Leaf and MLSE brass meets with the media tomorrow and we should know more then.