Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment President Keith Pelley made an appearance at the Prime Time Sports Conference where he revealed the truth behind Sheldon Keefe's firing in Toronto.
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After another failed playoffs, Sheldon Keefe was relieved of his duties as head coach of the Leafs in early May. It didn't take long for the Leafs to find his replacement in Craig Berube, and so far, MLSE President Keith Pelley has been rather impressed with the changes he has seen in the Leafs.
In speaking with the media in Toronto at the annual PTSC, Pelley was asked about his role as the President of MLSE and discussed all things regarding the $12.5B sports empire, but mainly focused on the Leafs. In discussing the changes since he took over in April, he revealed the true reason why Sheldon Keefe was let go.
'People ask me how the Leafs are different this year, and I say culture and chemistry is the right 'Double C,'' said Pelley. 'It makes a difference. We, right now, have what I call the perfect triangle (with) the Toronto Maple Leafs. I have no idea what happened over the last 10 years, (but) I know that culture, I know that chemistry is there (now). That (became clear) when I really observed (Leafs president) Brendan Shanahan and (GM) Brad Treliving, and I looked at the chemistry they had, and it was phenomenal. The chemistry wasn't quite there with the previous head coach (Sheldon Keefe), so after the season we brought in Craig Berube to that triangle of chemistry.'
Considering many felt that Keefe was let go because of another first-round playoff exit, which obviously played a part, it is fairly surprising to hear that it was due to the differences between Keefe, Brendan Shanahan and Brad Treliving that ultimately led to his release.
It was known that Keefe was on borrowed time when Kyle Dubas left Toronto and joined the Pittsburgh Penguins, but after signing his extension ahead of last season, not many expected his tenure to end so abruptly.
As we get further into the Treliving-Berube-Shanahan era of the Leafs, it has become clearer that Shanahan has always wanted an 'old school' roster for the Leafs, and with Treliving and Berube, he has gotten his wish. Now it is up to the players to deliver and hopefully get the Leafs deeper in the playoffs.
