Samsonov, Woll, Tavares, Marner and Rielly all need to go. That is the problem. It was not the coach.
Yes the team is poorly constructed.
Did you lump Woll in that problem list ?
He was 2-0 with a GAA 0.86 and a SV% of .964 with being thrown in with little notice.
It's also true no one can coach this deeply flawed team to playoff success. But you cant change the players ... so you ....
Keefe also adds very little. He's still learning the NHL game. He's also failed to find special teams coaches that are useful. The blame falls on him.
He wasn't able to see Sammy wasnt a playoff performer and Woll is. He forgot what happened last year (and it happened again this year). He forgot Brodie isnt a legit NHL D anymore ... played him in game 4 and it was a disaster. Keefe can't ice the best team and the best lines. For that alone, he needs to go. EVEN more importantly, the players need fresh eyes and new atmosphere that new coaching staff brings.
Keefe and Marner need to go. JT is expiring and signing him cheap may work but it's LOW priority. No team will take JT's anchor contract - not worth discussing.
Marner needs to go so we can bolster the D and CHANGE the dynamics of the forwards. The team needs to learn how to score playoff goals not regular season pond hockey goals when shot blocking is low everyone is working at 85%.
Mitch can have success, even playoff success, elsewhere. It's just the Leafs will not have success with him and his contract.