Quoting: Juice
While I don't hate on Keefe to the same extent as some...I definitely agree with the lack of adjusting.
On the one hand...I do feel you need to give certain combos 3 or so games to see if they work. I find whenever he does try something new...it's for 1 game or 1 period....but that's what the first half of the season should be for.
As for the Power Play...again...it's an adjustment thing. Way too simplistic a reaction by some here to say it's simply getting cold...need to get Matthews the puck...guy just need to step up, etc...our PP was absolute fire last month...and teams scout that, prep for it, and scheme up ways to take away the same looks that we had been getting.
Marner being out definitely hurts because he facilitates so well....but there needs to be adjustments....when you see the other coach is taking away what used to be your Plan A....don't keep relying on Plan A...for me, I see Rielly and Nylander looking to tee Matthews up but either the passing lane to him is clogged up or he's forced to receive the pass in a spot where he can't get a good shot off...so move guys around...do something different...then go back to Plan A or Plan C when more adjustments come your way.
I don't hate Keefe.
From listening to Kyper and Bourne, (Bourne worked on Keefe's staff in the Marlies) it seems that Keefe is not a special teams guy and isn't great at managing personalities.
To me those are two key things that this team needs.
I also think that people forget that the only GM Keefe has ever worked under for more than a season is Dubas (in the OHL, AHL or NHL).
A hallmark of Dubas teams is a focus on offense and lack of defense. That's just how he believed teams should be built. So Keefe has never had to build a defensively solid team cause especially in the OHL and AHL if you have the best offensive players you can win games. The skill gap is bigger so that strategy works.
I think Keefe could leave, go to a Pittsburgh in a few years and do well with a young core where the rookies respect him as a veteran coach, where he can work with Dubas to get D who are solid in their end but can play Keefe's possession based quick transition system.
I just don't think that these players who are already bigger than the coach have anything left to gain from working with him.
Boucher is there and can see out the season. After that I'd look to bring in Berube or some hard nosed coach who might not last long (those guys tend to lose the room after a few years) but can see out the rest of the Matthew contract and are confident enough in their abilities that we could bring in Boudreau as an assistant to help the special teams without him feeling like his replacement is looking over him.
Just my $0.02.