“I’ll Be Better In That Area”: NHL Fines Maple Leafs Head Coach Sheldon Keefe $25K, Recognizes Need for Improvement In Conversation with Referees
After disagreeing with the Golden Knights about a penalty given to the Maple Leafs in the third period, Keefe was expelled from the game on Tuesday.
Sheldon Keefe, the head coach of the Maple Leafs, has been penalized by the NHL for his game misconduct against the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday night.
The NHL said in a release that Keefe was fined $25,000 on Tuesday “for inappropriate actions directed toward the officials that resulted in a game misconduct.”
With less than three minutes left in the game, Mitch Marner’s penalty for tripping Chandler Stephenson was still being discussed by the Maple Leafs coach. As a result, Keefe was given a game misconduct.
Keefe was not happy with the call because, based on the film, it seems that even though Marner struck Stephenson’s leg with his stick, the player eventually appeared to go down by himself.
When asked about his interaction with the referees after the game on Tuesday, Keefe refused to comment.
He said, “I’m not going there.”
“Not Going There”: Sheldon Keefe Caught in the Maple Leafs’ Losing Streak in a Winning Run Against the Golden Knights
The head coach of the Maple Leafs was questioned about his approach to speaking to officials and how he manages to let his team know that he’s in the fight alongside them ahead of their game against the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday night.
Keefe said, “All I’ll say is, there’s a tight line between trying to be the voice for the guys at certain times so they don’t have to be and they can focus on playing.”
As a coach, it’s my responsibility to always keep my attention on the here and now and the next step. I didn’t feel like I was out of control the other night or anything like that. However, my attention isn’t on the proper item.”
However, Keefe has already received fines from the NHL on previous occasions due to his interactions with officials.
He received a $25,000 punishment on December 28, 2022, for “demeaning actions directed at the officials” during the previous night’s St. Louis Blues game.
On Thursday morning, Keefe said he would improve in that area and that he needed to improve.
It is my responsibility to pay attention to the appropriate things, and it is the player’s responsibility to do the same. I’ll perform better there. I have the opportunity to think back on it and learn from it.
