The Toronto Maple Leafs season ended on May 4 after losing to Boston in Game 7 of the first-round matchup. Bruins.
Off the ice, Toronto is getting ready to make a significant announcement on Friday, May 10, according to Jim Parsons of The Hockey Writers. Jim Parsons of The Hockey Writers reported this news.
After their early exit from the Stanley Cup playoffs this year, Toronto decided to split its end-of-season media availability into two sessions.
The first session was held on Monday, May 6, and the second one was initially planned for Thursday, May 9, but got moved to Friday, May 10. During the first session, Leafs players including Mitch Marner, who wants an extension, and head coach Sheldon Keefe, who expressed a desire to stay in Toronto, were present. (
According to Jim Parsons and NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, Toronto is expected to make a major announcement on May 10, likely involving the firing of coach Keefe.
An announcement is expected to be made about the firing of Sheldon Keefe and Brendan Shanahan. on May 10?
Parsons was very clear and confident in his prediction of the news that the Maple Leafs will officially announce before the weekend.
Title of Parsons' story: “The Toronto Maple Leafs are gearing up for a significant announcement on Friday,” Parsons wrote. “A decision to remove [Keefe] is expected because Keefe will not attend on Friday.”
Parsons also mentioned the possibility of team President Brendan Shanahan being fired, but deemed it unlikely.
Parsons said that Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment CEO Keith Pelley, President Brendan Shanahan, and General Manager Brad Treliving are preparing for a joint press conference. There's also speculation about Shanahan’s future, with some suggesting he may not escape getting fired.
Elliotte Friedman's information points to the firing of Sheldon Keefe.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman talked about the Maple Leafs’ situation in the latest episode of his podcast on Wednesday, May 8. 32 Thoughts .
Friedman mentioned that he believes Wednesday, May 8, was a crucial day for the franchise in terms of meetings and planning.
Friedman hinted at upcoming changes for Toronto, suggesting that things are set to move forward soon.
Friedman said, “Everyone wanted to wait a couple of days but now it’s time to start moving everything forward.”
Friedman also shared some subtle details that may have prompted the franchise to push the final media availability of the Leafs to a later date.
“Tuesday was draft lottery day,” Friedman began. “I believe the league didn't want a lot of news that day, but also didn't want to overshadow the [Macklin] Celebrini (consensus best prospect in the 2024 draft) celebration.
“Also Sheldon Keefe was inducted into the Brampton Sports Hall of Fame on Tuesday night and the Maple Leafs are very aware of that.
These two events, along with the delay of the press conference, could be the final sign indicating Keefe's firing on Friday, May 10.
Will the Toronto Maple Leafs Attempt to Trade Mitch Marner?
If the Leafs choose to keep Keefe, who has a two-year contract extension beginning next August, it's anticipated that Toronto will look into the trade market for superstar forward Mitch Marner.
However, Marner has a no-move clause in his contract and could prevent any trade.
On Monday, May 6, after the Leafs completed their end-of-season media availability for players, Friedman published an episode of his 32 Thoughts podcast.
One of the topics Friedman discussed was related to the rumors about a potential departure of Mitch Marner through trade as he heads into the final season under contract with the Leafs.
Toronto will be “involved with them,” Friedman mentioned regarding Chicago Blackhawks’, Carolina Hurricanes’ Seth Jones, and Florida Panthers Brett PesceBrandon Montour , as potential trade targets in a Marner move.Marner declared on May 6
plans to sign a long-term extension that he as long as the Leafs offer him a new contract. The Toronto Maple Leafs will hold a media availability on May 10 and coach Sheldon Keefe’s firing could be announced.
