The speculation and rumors have been in full force about the Toronto Maple Leafs since they were eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs. Max Domi [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA2MjQ1MDAyNzkwMDUyOTYz/usatsi_23090045_168400847_lowres.jpg] Max Domi Changes are coming for the Toronto Maple Leafs this summer following yet another first-round playoff exit to the Boston Bruins. They've won only one playoff series since 2017. The Hockey News' Toronto site editor David Alter wondered [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/we-were-right-f-ing-there-after-another-early-stanley-cup-playoffs-exit-against-bruins-do-the-maple-leafs-dare-entertain-running-back-their-core] if the Leafs would dare try to run it back for one more season with their current core. They can't. There's been no discernible sign of progress over the past five seasons. It's not panic nor impatience. It's facing reality. Michael Traikos believes [https://thehockeynews.com/news/trade-marner-fire-the-coach-here-are-some-moves-that-the-maple-leafs-can-actually-make-this-summer] firing coach Sheldon Keefe is the easiest solution. Keefe signed a two-year contract extension last August, but it's clear he's no longer the right coach for the Leafs. The Toronto Sun's Steve Simmons disagreed, commending Keefe [https://torontosun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/another-year-another-playoff-defeat-for-frustrated-maple-leafs] for adjusting his game plan over the final three games against the Bruins. Those changes enabled the Leafs to come within an overtime goal of reaching the second round. Simmons thinks firing Keefe could be a mistake. That probably won't prevent Keefe from getting his walking papers. He's had five seasons to get the Leafs over the playoff hump. Well-regarded former NHL coaches like Craig Berube, Todd McLellan, Dean Evason and Gerard Gallant are looking for work. Leafs GM Brad Treliving could pursue one of them as his next bench boss. The changes could reach as high as team president Brendan Shanahan. Simmons wondered what would happen when Shanahan met with his new boss, Keith Pelley, the CEO of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, to discuss what had happened and his plans to fix it. Turning to the roster, the biggest decision is what to do with Mitch Marner. The 27-year-old winger will be a year away from UFA eligibility. Simmons' colleague Terry Koshan observed [https://torontosun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/pastrnak-scores-in-ot-of-game-7-putting-an-end-to-maple-leafs-season] that Treliving could open contract talks with Marner on July 1. He wondered how well those talks might go after Marner's underwhelming performance against the Bruins. Marner carries a $10.9-million cap hit and a full no-movement clause. Treliving could tell him he no longer fits into the Leafs' long-term plans and request a list of his preferred trade destinations. Traikos believes it's no longer working for Marner in Toronto. He suggested Utah would be the perfect destination as they need a star to help them sell tickets, as does Columbus, Seattle or even Ottawa. Some changes could come quickly, others could take several weeks or months. In the meantime, the speculation about the Leafs will likely dominate the off-season rumor mill. Get the latest news and trending stories right to your inbox by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here [https://info.thehockeynews.com/mail/microsites/951/1/gTeQVf?_gl=1*ustlbj*_ga*NjkyMzUxMy4xNjYzNjIwMzQ3*_ga_PK63FB1PME*MTcxMzUwOTExNi40NDguMS4xNzEzNTA5MjA5LjU5LjAuMA..].
