Sportsnet calls out Toronto Maple Leafs head coach

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Hunter Bowman
November 2, 2023 (9:46 PM)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs had a tough outing in their recent game, falling to a 4-1 defeat against the Los Angeles Kings at Scotiabank Arena. This result brought their 2023 season record to 5-3-1. However, it was a lineup decision by head coach Sheldon Keefe that raised eyebrows, particularly for Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne from the "Real Kyper and Bourne" show.

Keefe's choice to move William Nylander up to the first line, alongside Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, didn't sit well with Kypreos and Bourne. They believed that this move sent a message to the other players that the coach didn't trust them enough to mount a comeback.

Kypreos expressed his frustration, stating,

"The thing that probably bothered me most last night was the feeling and philosophy that they're still trying to outscore their mistakes. I got pissed off the most at watching him load up Nylander, Marner, and Matthews. I think it's a horrible message to 17 other guys that says, 'we're just going to put these guys together and it's going to fix us.»

Bourne echoed Kypreos' sentiment, emphasizing that the players who had battled throughout the game deserved the opportunity to lead the comeback effort. He highlighted the importance of rewarding hard work and merit over potential.

In essence, Kypreos and Bourne felt that the focus should have been on deploying players who could compete, fight for pucks, and win battles, rather than simply stacking the top line to chase goals. They believed that the coach's priorities should have centered on addressing the immediate needs of the team and its performance rather than showcasing a superstar trio.

Source: Hockeyfeed