Sheldon Keefe, the head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced his resignation
During the NHL offseason, Sheldon Keefe and the Maple Leafs agree to a two-year contract extension.
The Toronto Maple Leafs announced on Wednesday that head coach Sheldon Keefe has signed a multi-year contract extension.
The two-year extension is said to exist, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.
In the statement, general manager of the Maple Leafs Brad Treliving stated:
“Sheldon has greatly impressed me since I joined the Maple Leafs. He has demonstrated excellent leadership qualities with both his staff and our players, and he has a clear idea of where he wants to see this team go.
Coach Sheldon has made a name for himself in the league, and I’m excited to collaborate with him as we approach the next campaign.”
Keefe continued:
“It has been an immense honor to coach this squad, and I am really thrilled about the prospect of carrying on with our mission.”
Along with Brendan Shanahan and Brad Treliving, who I’ve really loved getting to know and work with this off-season, I’m grateful for the support from MLSE and its ownership.
I’m honored to work with so many amazing players and individuals in our organization, and we are all firm in our commitment to the success of our club.”
Before being appointed head coach of the NHL franchise in November 2019, Keefe led the Toronto Marlies, the Maple Leafs’ American Hockey League affiliate, to a Calder Cup victory in 2018. Keefe joined the organization in June 2015.
In his four seasons as head coach, the 42-year-old has guided the Maple Leafs to a 166-71-30 record. In the 2021–22 season, he also helped the team set franchise records for wins (54) and points (115) in a single season.
Under Keefe, Toronto’s winning % of.622 is second only to the Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, and Carolina Hurricanes throughout that time.
Despite having a very great roster that includes Austin Matthews, Mitchell Marner, John Tavares, and William Nylander, the Maple Leafs are 13-17 in the postseason under Keefe.
For the first time since 2003–04, Toronto advanced past the first round of the playoffs last year; however, they were defeated in five games by the Florida Panthers in the second round.
Keefe’s contract extension suggests that the Maple Leafs believe he can be the player to lead them past the halfway point and into the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since their last championship in 1966–67.
