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Sheldon Keefe’s Odd Quote Points a Finger at His Coaching Ability

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By Jim Parsons | Last updated 5/5/24

It’s not clear what Sheldon Keefe was trying to say when he said it, or if his comments came out as he intended them to, but the coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs gave up a sound bite that could come back to bite him. Speaking with the media after the series ended and the Maple Leafs’ Game 7 loss to the Boston Bruins, he noted, “When teams play the Leafs, they set up the game for the Leafs to beat themselves.” Using games three and four of their series with the Bruins as examples, he noted that Toronto beat themselves. He then added it was part of the Bruins’ game plan.

Keefe was asked what the biggest challenge generating offense was during the series and he responded the Bruins are a very structured team that defends their net as well as any team in the NHL. He added, “They were content to do that.” Right after that, he said the words that have gone viral on social media. He essentially suggested either the Leafs aren’t good enough not to get in their own way, or he’s not a good enough coach to ensure the Maple Leafs don’t shoot themselves in the foot.

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

HC, Sheldon Keefe after the Maple Leafs loss to the Bruins in Game 7. pic.twitter.com/khCUjIDltw
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 5, 2024

Keefe seemed to admit that teams who play Toronto know that his team will make the kinds of mistakes that will cost them a win. He framed it as though it happens so often that it’s part of the opposition’s defensive strategy when they play against Toronto. As a result, teams like Boston simply play a structured defensive game, get out of the way, and let Toronto collapse.

Was Keefe Really Saying the Leafs Are a Team That Beats Themselves?

The quote is extremely strange and may be an all-time headscratcher. It’s not clear if he’s hinting that he’s at his boiling point with a team that can’t figure it out or if he’s saying he can’t figure out as a coach how to teach sound hockey systems that don’t cripple his roster. If one were to examine a possible intent behind the quote, he could be giving credit to Boston and other teams who play a dry style of hockey and wear down some of the NHL’s most elite forwards. That said, it sounds more like he’s suggesting the Maple Leafs are the kind of club that makes too many mistakes, every team knows it, and that’s often why the Leafs lose.

It’s an indictment of his own coaching ability and his comments essentially threw his team under the bus. Many fans on social media were quick to suggest that these are the words of a coach just asking to be fired. While that’s unlikely given his new extension is about to kick in, it wasn’t the best choice of words.

How Does Toronto Keep Him as Coach After a Quote Like This?

Ironically, there’s a lot of chatter about whether Keefe should be on the chopping block amidst changes that are likely coming to this roster. It would be strange if management and ownership didn’t hear these words and wonder why they should keep someone like that in the organization and guide this team out of the darkness.

Keefe is the coach of this team and it’s on him to prepare his players. In fact, it is literally his job to teach them how to win hockey games, and least of all, not beat themselves. At best, if he’s not trying to take the heat for how the team played, it would be shocking if it goes over well that he just put the losses 100% on the players.

This article first appeared on The Hockey Writers and was syndicated with permission.

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