TORONTO (May 9) — It should come as no surprise that Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment appears to be following the path of least resistance. Again. Rather than starting from scratch and building a new hockey department, the Leafs, today, made Sheldon Keefe the lone scapegoat. Which indicates that Brendan Shanahan will either complete the final year of his current pact as president of the team… or that new Chief Executive Officer Keith Pelley will announce, on Friday, a long–term extension for the Hall–of–Fame forward that has but a single playoff–round triumph with the Maple Leafs in ten years. It also indicates that general manager Brad Treliving has survived the purge and will be allowed to choose his own replacement for Keefe. Which is largely favored to be the former rugged Leafs winger, Craig Berube, coach of the 2019 Stanley Cup–champion St. Louis Blues.

Even if no candidate comes close to the suspended Joel Quenneville, late of the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Maple Leafs are anything but unpredictable. Few of us can comprehend what clearly must have evolved in the high tower of 60 Bay St. after Pelley arrived at the start of April. The backroom lobbying for employment on behalf of this person or another; lots of frightened, uncertain looks… with Shanahan at the center of the maelstrom.

Survival is a primal instinct and Shanahan will never go down at MLSE without the combativeness he displayed throughout his playing career. Again, it makes us wonder how such a belligerent, often–ruthless worker on the ice could repeatedly endorse the marshmallow–soft nucleus of the current Maple Leafs. And, why Shanahan should therefore not be primarily culpable for the dearth of playoff achievement. Though Keefe certainly had his chance with five post–season appearances, all he could do was work with those provided to him by management. As with any coach. And, I’m certain there isn’t a hockey mind on the planet able to coerce this group through four rounds of Stanley Cup drudgery. So, yes, as of now, MLSE has moved forward with the least exertion imaginable.

Pending tomorrow’s media colossus.

DEAD MAN WALKING (OR SITTING): SHELDON KEEFE, DOOMED AS COACH OF THE MAPLE LEAFS, ANSWERS QUESTIONS FROM THE MEDIA ON MONDAY AT SCOTIABANK ARENA.

The entire scenario has to be a nightmare for the company’s publicity wing. First, the announcement that Keefe would be separated from “management” and clumped in with his players on the morning (Monday) of media exit interviews. Then, that Pelley, Shanahan and Treliving would gather with reporters on Thursday (today). Only to have the press conference mysteriously pushed back 24 hours, to tomorrow (Friday). All of this while MLSE figured what to do with Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly, who has been suspended for at least half the upcoming Canadian Football League schedule for inappropriate conduct toward a female ex–employee. Now, the in–between enticement: Keefe being let go with one year remaining on the extension he signed last summer. With loving praise, in a media release, from GM Treliving. It could mark the first time that a coach with a .665 win percentage (212–97–40) in the National Hockey League has been fired. But, all levels of pro hockey administration must be assessed on results in the Stanley Cup chase, where Keefe sported one victory in six rounds. It’s the reason I am incredulous that Shanahan has apparently weathered another storm. He’s the architect of the perennial chaos, which is papered over by promise and a scintillating attack during the 82–game regular schedule.

And, maybe nothing else matters to MLSE.

As I’ve often theorized, I’m not certain the billion–dollar enterprise wants to end this decades–long Stanley Cup illusion. Leafs Nation, though hapless, is on board with the annual “chase” and the business model works spectacularly. So, why break the pattern and do anything drastic? With the most high–profile coaching position in the NHL now vacant, however, the Leafs do have a chance to push slightly against the grain. They could approach NHL commissioner Gary Bettman for authorization to hire the man that trails only Scotty Bowman in all–time coaching victories. Presenting Joel Quenneville a new and not–so–unique challenge. When Coach Q won the Stanley Cup with Chicago in 2010, it broke the longest existing Stanley Cup drought (49 years). That dubious mark now belongs to the Leafs (57 years). So, why not hire experience? NHL championships with the Blackhawks followed in 2013 and 2015. Involvement (or lack thereof) in the Kyle Beach sex–assault case involving a coach under Quenneville (Brad Aldrich) led to an indefinite suspension by the NHL. Joel initially grew up in the Maple Leafs organization as the club’s first draft choice (21st overall) in 1978. Midway through his second season on the blue line, he was traded to the old Colorado Rockies in the maddening deal that sent Lanny McDonald to Denver.

No one’s coaching résumé comes close to Quenneville’s. He truly is the only choice for the Leafs.

But, his procurement would take some work. Which MLSE isn’t big on.

Berube is a much–easier get. He’s available; has one Stanley Cup on his docket (with the Blues) and also departed the Maple Leafs in a monster trade — the record, 10–player swap Cliff Fletcher engineered with his old team, the Calgary Flames, that brought Doug Gilmour to Toronto (on Jan. 2, 1992). The now 58–year–old native of Calahoo, Alta. was a marginally gifted, yet bruising forward who lasted 18 years in the NHL, scoring 61 goals while amassing 3,149 penalty minutes. With a scorching rookie (Jordan Binnington) between the pipes, Berube guided St. Louis to its first (and only) NHL title: a Game 7 victory in 2019 over the Boston Bruins at TD Garden.

Again, as with Shanahan, I’d have to wonder how Berube could tolerate a skilled but passive roster.

We’ll more than likely find out, starting in October.

As for all other hockey matters at MLSE? It appears to be status quo.

The more things change…

SURPRISED BY PINBALL (but, did he make the call?)

Somewhat unexpectedly, general manager Mike (Pinball) Clemons of the Toronto Argonauts today deferred team discipline toward Chad Kelly until after the quarterback completes the CFL–mandated counselling by a gender–based violence expert. On the surface, it’s a fair approach, as it provides Kelly a second chance. Which all of us deserve at some point. Conversely, this was not the first time Kelly’s comportment and character in the workplace has come under question. And, it’s clear the club’s former strength and conditioning coach — a female — made a strong–enough case for the CFL to slap a minimum, nine–game suspension on Kelly for workplace harassment. It was anticipated, in many circles, that Pinball would cut ties with the league’s reigning Most Outstanding Player. Reluctantly, but necessarily, for the club to move forward without such a blight. Instead, the Argos likely capitulated to there being no established quarterback on the roster, with training camp beginning this week. The club still has second–year man Cameron Dukes, who capably stood in for Kelly several times last season. On the field, however, there is no comparison between the two… and jobs are often secured on the basis of wins and losses.

So, Clemons and the executive posse at Bell Canada and Kilmer Sports (Larry Tanenbaum) have chosen to buy time. Which, to me, is disappointing. How do you explain such a conclusion to female supporters of the Double Blue? You either condone Kelly’s behavior… or you don’t. There honestly is no in–between.

Which leads me to suspect a person above the principled Clemons made this decision.

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