Toronto Maple Leafs relieve Mike Babcock of coaching duties

Sammi Silber

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Toronto Maple Leafs relieve Mike Babcock of coaching duties image

In wake of the Toronto Maple Leafs' continued struggles, the Maple Leafs announced Wednesday that they have dismissed head coach Mike Babcock and named Sheldon Keefe as his replacement.

"Over parts of the last five seasons, Mike has played an integral role in changing the direction of our franchise," team president and alterative governor Brendan Shanahan said, adding, "Mike's commitment and tireless work ethic has put our organization in a better place and we are extremely grateful and appreciative of the foundation he has helped us build here."

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The move comes following Toronto's performance of late; the club has just two regulation wins over their last 16 games and has also lost five straight. The Leafs are also 3-5-2 over their last 10 games and sit two points out of a playoff spot with a 9-10-4 record. Not only that, their 3.44 goals against per game is the eighth-highest in the league, while their penalty kill (73.1 percent) is the fourth-worst in the NHL.

In his four seasons with the team prior to this year, Babcock led Toronto to a 173-133-45 record and three playoff berths, but they suffered first-round losses in each trip to the postseason at the hands of the Washington Capitals and Boston Bruins.

Keefe, 39, has been behind the bench for the Toronto Marlies, the Leafs' AHL-affiliate, for the last five seasons, posting a 199-89-22-9 record with the team and leading the club to its first Calder Cup title in 2018. He also previously served as a coach for the OHL's Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, helping them reach the playoffs twice in 2014 and 2015.

No other changes to the coaching staff will be made at this time, as per the team.

Toronto is set to play the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday at 9 p.m. ET, where Keefe will make his debut behind the Leafs' bench.

Sammi Silber