It has been a busy week for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Today, the team announced that they have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. Craig Berube is rumored to be the team's top target to replace him. The Leafs made the announcement ahead of tomorrow's end-of-season exit interviews with the team management. The players and Keefe already gave their exit interviews yesterday. They formally made the announcement on X. <q>Sheldon Keefe has been relieved of his role as head coach. The organization will immediately begin the search for a new head coach.</q> <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/MapleLeafs/status/1788570889035919850'> </a></blockquote></div> In response, Keefe released a statement of his own, sharing a short video on his personal X account. He took full responsibility for the team's lack of playoff success and was very classy with his comments overall. <q>Thank you, Leafs Nation 💙✌️</q> <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/SheldonKeefe/status/1788600739310309623'> </a></blockquote></div> In related news, NHL insider Kevin Weeks noted that Craig Berube is currently the most coveted coach that is available. Berube has a solid track record, including a 2019 Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues. <q>Given today's news the Coaches' Carousel 🎠 is spinning. Many teams were waiting on Toronto's decision. I'm told by several clubs and people involved that StanleyCup winner Craig Berube is the most coveted H.C candidate on the market. #HockeyX #HockeyTwitter</q> <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/KevinWeekes/status/1788637308708647338'> </a></blockquote></div> One fan online claims to have connections to Berube and he says that he will be signing with the Leafs very shortly. <q>Biz, circle back on the Berube to NJ rumours. Berube played junior hockey in a small town where I'm from, he has told all his buddies here he's going to TOR confirmed. Word has been going around town for the last few days.</q> <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/LeafsNHLTakes/status/1788616746351591566'> </a></blockquote></div> While there is much skepticism about such a move being broken by someone that is not known at all in the hockey world, this individual had reasonable plausibility that he could have some correct information here. He claims that he heard the news himself from a lifelong friend of Berube. <q>You will see. Leafs are going to give a week or so. But there has already been a verbal agreement. Details and structure of contract are not done yet. I'm being dead serious.</q> <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/LeafsNHLTakes/status/1788618876860891439'> </a></blockquote></div> <q>It's from a life long friend of Berube. Don't see why he wouldn't tell him. But you'll see.</q> <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/LeafsNHLTakes/status/1788619248891461987'> </a></blockquote></div> That being said, until an official announcement is made, this is all hearsay. Source: PuckReporter <a href='https://www.puckreporter.com/nhl-team/toronto-maple-leafs/leafs-have-verbal-agreement-in-place-for-new-head-coach-per-source' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Leafs have verbal agreement in place for new head coach per source</a>