John Tavares comments on the firing of Sheldon Keefe

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Julien Trekker
May 19, 2024 (2:48 PM)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares commented on the firing of Sheldon Keefe and the hiring of Craig Berube in a recent interview.

Currently respresenting Canada at the Men's World Championship in Czechia, Tavares talked about the situation surrounding the Maple Leafs.

The team management decided to replace Sheldon Keefe after five years as their head coach and hired Craig Berube to fill in.

Tavares opened up on that tough situation in an interview with NHL.com.

Here's what he said about the firing of Keefe following a tough playoff elimination in the first round at the hands of the Boston Bruins:

"It's still really difficult, I think. He'd been around five years with the team. Everything we've been through and certainly from a personal note how he's helped my game grow and how he's challenged me, I think back and forth you develop a lot of trust and respect."

"As a player, you wear that, you feel that. That's a wound that you take."

At some point, Keefe had to be the one to fall for the Leafs' struggles in the playoffs, which is why players can have a hard time dealing with it. Tavares definitely had a part of responsability to take for the Leafs' elimination, but ultimately, Keefe paid for it.

As for the hiring of Berube, the captain made the following comment:

"I don't know him at all, just connected with him via text early this morning. It's what I woke up to. Obviously very difficult to see 'Keefer' go, but part of the game at times, and for us as players, it's on us to do a better job. With Craig coming in, he's going to help us with that."

"I'm excited to work with him. He's got a tremendous pedigree. [General Manager Brad Treliving] sent a quick note out to myself as well, just about the excitement of bringing him in and how he can help our group. That process has already begun and we're looking forward to having him."

"Obviously they (St. Louis) had a tremendous amount of success with him, and even before he was hired there were a lot of rumors and they mentioned how much they enjoyed playing for him and the good things that he does.

The future looks bright in Toronto. Depending on what Brad Treliving decides to do this summer, the Leafs could very well have another great season, and hopefully, a better playoff run.

Source: The Hockey News - 'That's A Wound That You Take': Maple Leafs' Tavares Reacts to Dismissal of Keefe While �Excited' For Craig Berube Hire