Penguins targeting Sheldon Keefe as soon as the Leafs season concludes

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Julien Trekker
May 3, 2024 (3:46 PM)

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Kyle Dubas and the Pittsburgh Penguins could be targeting the Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe as soon as the Leafs season is over.

After he brought over Jason Spezza and Noel Acciari with him from Toronto to Pittsburgh, it looks like the former Leafs' general manager is interested in bringing Sheldon Keefe.

It is widely believed that Keefe will lose his job in Toronto if the Leafs don't reach the second round of the playoffs, and if it happens, the Penguins could jump on the occasion to bring him on board.

Per Bruce Garrioch:

"We'll find out Thursday if the Leafs will go the distance and if it doesn't, then coach Sheldon Keefe likely will be fired. If that happens, the sense is Berube will be a top candidate for the Toronto job and Pittsburgh GM Kyle Dubas may allow Sullivan to move to New Jersey so Keefe can be hired."

While Mike Sullivan has been with the Penguins for nearly ten years, there has been some friction between him and the new management of the organization.

A few days ago, Dubas decided to fire Sullivan's assistant coach Todd Reirden despite Sullivan's wishes to keep him.

Frank Seravalli reported that this could be a "tipping point on Sullivan's tenure.":

"There was no shortage of friction in Pittsburgh, where as we reported, coach Mike Sullivan was vehemently opposed to making changes to his staff.

Now that GM Kyle Dubas has fired assistant coach Todd Reirden, is that the tipping point on Sullivan's tenure?

We shall see."

However, the Leafs are still in the playoffs, and if they manage to win game 7 against the Bruins, Keefe could get to keep his job. If they lose and the management decides to let him go, don't be surprised if he joins Dubas in Pittsburgh.

More to come.

Source: Hockey Feed - Sheldon Keefe to be targeted by rival team as soon as Leafs get eliminated!