Shanahan and Keefe following yet another playoff breakdown.

In a span of just over 24 hours, The Athletic provided a platform for Toronto Maple Leafs enthusiasts to express their

thoughts, and they certainly didn’t hold back. More than 2,000 participants swiftly chimed in, expressing strong

opinions about various aspects, including Leafs president Brendan Shanahan, coach Sheldon Keefe, the team’s star players, and the organization’s outlook.

Navigating between a sense of imminent surrender and the acknowledgment of having already surrendered: Welcome to the rollercoaster ride that is the Maple Leafs fan experience in 2024!

Listen, I understand. As I made my way toward TD Garden on the afternoon of Game 7, I couldn’t help but think

, “Surely, they’ll break through this year and finally seal the deal, right?” But then I had to remind myself that I’ve uttered some version of that statement to myself back in 2021… and again in 2022.

What struck me the most from this survey compared to last season was how the underlying frustration brewing

beneath the surface has now surfaced more prominently. The fact that “Anger” ranked as the third most-chosen option, surpassing the optimists, speaks volumes.

Currently, they remain the Leafs. Presently, the likelihood of a significant drop in attendance for the team seems

minimal, suggesting that the organization doesn’t perceive fans as turning their backs on the team.

However, the sentiment among fans regarding the team, its core players, and management has suffered this season.

The decision-makers are not entirely detached from the opinions expressed by fans and amplified by the media. If management is paying attention, they might find the feedback less than favorable.

Fans lack confidence in a roster that had significant uncertainties heading into the playoffs and, unsurprisingly,

failed to deliver when it counted. The lack of secondary scoring in the bottom six and the inability of the defenders to effectively feed the team’s top scorers were glaring issues.

The fact that more than a quarter of respondents highlighted the underperformance of the team’s top forwards is

closely tied to roster composition as well. Fans participating in this survey have endured nearly a decade of the Leafs

experiment and are clamoring for change. It seems increasingly likely that change is on the horizon.

I anticipated that the team’s subpar goaltending would receive more votes, but it seems fans, like myself, recognize

the scarcity of elite goaltenders in the NHL, and the teams possessing them are unwilling to part ways.

The overwhelming majority of votes underscore the urgency for GM Brad Treliving to make significant roster adjustments this summer.

I was genuinely surprised by the extent of the sway in the results. I didn’t anticipate such a strong vote in one direction.

Shanahan has undoubtedly made significant contributions to the Leafs organization. He has assembled a team of

talented individuals who have implemented meaningful changes, even if these don’t always translate into success during playoffs.

However, the outcomes of Shanahan’s leadership at the Leafs are clear: only one playoff series win in the past

decade. The ability to claim closeness or potential has a limited lifespan, and according to fans, Shanahan has exceeded that point.

The outcome of Friday’s end-of-season discussions with Leafs management, which were postponed by a day,

promises to be intriguing. Will Shanahan retain his position, or will MLSE and Keith Pelley opt for a new, unexpected direction?

It’s hardly unexpected that the majority of fans opted for Keefe’s replacement. In any sport, when a team fails to

meet expectations, the head coach often becomes the scapegoat. During his end-of-season remarks, Keefe displayed

a mix of vulnerability and pride, hinting that he realizes his tenure with the Leafs is precarious.

However, what caught many off guard was the number of fans open to retaining Keefe if significant changes were

made to the roster. In theory, Keefe might stand a better chance of leading the team deeper into the playoffs with the

addition of a true top defenseman, improvements to the blue line overall, and increased offensive contribution from the lower lines. One would assume most coaches would benefit from such upgrades, though.