The Toronto Maple Leafs have made important decisions this season, including a change in general manager and granting Auston Matthews a contract extension, but the long-term future of their head coach Sheldon Keefe is likely to fuel discussions.
The 42-year-old has been in charge since mid-2019/20 and has helped his cause somewhat by helping the team finally win a series last spring, something they hadn’t been able to do since 2004. However, expectations remain high for a band featuring big names like Matthews, John Tavares and Mitch Marner. If the Toronto team continues to struggle in the playoffs, Keefe could end up in the hot seat.
In addition, the presence of new GM Brad Treliving and a one-season contract are other factors adding to the doubts. According to website CapFriendly, the pilot will receive $1.95 million over the 2023-2024 period, as provided for in the September 30, 2021 extended agreement. The Leafs’ performance should say a lot about the rest.
“We’re going to keep working and talking about Sheldon’s issues and then we’ll see where it all takes us,” Treliving said on Friday, according to The Hockey News magazine. I can say that I really appreciated getting to know him. I think he’s a great man and coach. Let’s see where we are.
However, Keefe can encourage himself by thinking his new boss could have hired another trusted man behind the bench after chairman Brendan Shanahan named Kyle Dubas to succeed him as the GM seat.
“We discuss the team building process on a daily basis. Since we tracked him down and confirmed Sheldon’s return, I’ve been really impressed and will continue to be every day,” added the CEO.
The fans are still waiting
That said, results matter most in professional sports, and Keefe certainly has to hope his side enter the regular schedule with vigor. In its quest for its first Stanley Cup since the spring of 1967, the organization topped the salary cap by more than $13 million this summer, but that doesn’t guarantee it will stand out in the embattled Atlantic division.
Additionally, the Leafs have won 50 or more in each of the past two years and have always played by .600 or more under their current coach. However, their playoff record is 13-17 below him.