The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed head coach Sheldon Keefe to a two-year contract extension, nixing speculation about the Canadian’s future at the Scotiabank Arena.
The 42-year-old’s new contract shouldn’t come as a major surprise, considering recently appointed general manager Brad Treliving hinted at a refreshed pact last week.
“Since I’ve joined the Maple Leafs, I’ve been very impressed with Sheldon,” said Treliving on Wednesday.
“He has shown great leadership skills with his staff and our players, and has a clear vision for this team and where it needs to get to. Sheldon has established himself as one of the top coaches in the league and I look forward to working alongside him as we head into the upcoming season.”
Keefe, 42, was promoted to the Maple Leafs’ bench in November 2019, posting a 166-71-30 regular-season record through parts of four seasons on the hotseat in Toronto.
In the Maple Leafs’ 105-year history, he ranks second in regular-season wins and set single-season records in wins (54) and points (115) in 2021-22.
Toronto rank fourth in winning percentage (.622) since the appointment of Keefe, behind only the Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, and Carolina Hurricanes in that span.
“Coaching this team has been a great privilege, and I’m truly excited at the opportunity to continue building towards our ultimate goal,” added Keefe.
“I’m thankful for the support from MLSA and its ownership along with [team president] Brendan Shanahan and Treliving, who I’ve really enjoyed getting to know and work with this off-season. We have so many great players and people within our organization that I’m grateful to work with, and together our commitment to team success remains steadfast.”
Analysis: Why the Maple Leafs were wise to extend Sheldon Keefe
There were only two realistic outcomes for Sheldon Keefe and the Toronto Maple Leafs this summer.
With their bench boss entering the final season of his contract, Toronto’s new-look front office had to choose between sacking or extending Keefe.
And they were right to pick the second option.
Sheldon Keefe, then of the Toronto Marlies (Image: Thomas Skrlj/AHL)
Despite his lack of playoff success, and valid concerns about the Maple Leafs’ postseason performances (even in victory) last term, Keefe is the safe and well-respected pair of hands the franchise needs behind the bench at this point in their window.
Still in his first major league job, the former Soo St. Marie Greyhounds head coach confidently cleared up his predecessor’s mess and quickly turned his hand at producing record-setting results.
For the first time in his professional career, Keefe now has the opportunity to coach under a general manager whose name isn’t Kyle Dubas.
In other words, he has the chance to lead a different kind of team in Toronto, one that might not repeat the same mistakes of the past.
Of course, there is a chance that Keefe doesn’t work out in the six and Treliving will be forced to fire him.
Thankfully for Toronto’s bean-counters, coaches are immune from the salary cap and MLSE has more than enough financial clout to pay an underperforming head coach to leave the building.
Like with the Auston Matthews extension, this was a no-brainer for the Maple Leafs, who will now turn their attention to William Nyalnder’s future.
