It's surprising to hear coaches opinion that Toronto isn't a part of the ‘real NHL'. It may be just a phrase to reference the fact that Toronto has so much media noise and the rest of the league is much more relaxed, but it also insinuates that there's something inherently fake about the Leafs. This is leaving some Leafs fans seethe with anger and trying to cope anyway they can.
Perhaps it's the fact that they're a perennial cash cow for the NHL, always a top generating team despite repeated failures dating back to 1967. The fans and media put out a bunch of noise about wanting to win, but the team's corporate ownership under Bell and Rogers don't really care - there's no pressure for real change as long as the money comes in.
Still, Keefe understands the decision the Leafs made to move on from him, and spoke about his excitement and goal to win the Stanley Cup with an emerging Devils team this season.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have since hired Craig Berube, the former coach of the St. Louis Blues when they won their first Stanley Cup since being introduced to the league in 1967. Leafs fans are certainly hoping he can break another drought that began in that year.
