Sheldon Keefe and the Toronto Maple Leafs have agreed on a contract extension. The upcoming 2023-24 season would have been the last of Keefe’s current contract. The deal General Manager Brad Treliving and Keefe agreed upon was an additional two years to the deal. This is just days removed from superstar centre Auston Matthews signing a four-year extension.
Sheldon Keefe Signs Extension for Two-Years With the Toronto Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs have signed Sheldon Keefe to a multi-year contract extension. ✍️ pic.twitter.com/ml0Apo7q1k
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) August 30, 2023
Sheldon Keefe was hired back in November of 2019, as a replacement for Mike Babcock. At the time, it was a promotion for Keefe as he had been with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. In his time with the Maple Leafs, Keefe has compiled a .622 winning percentage. His regular season record is 166-71-30. Despite failing to advance in three of the four playoffs he has led the Maple Leafs for, his 14-16 suggests the team should have had more luck than they have had. Furthermore, this is also recognition in the sense, that they did qualify for the second round of the most recent 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs.
What Does This Mean for Keefe and Leafs?
Signing this extension means essentially that the path Sheldon Keefe is on with his players is favourable to the front office. That is no easy task convincing the Toronto Maple Leaf executives that you are doing a good job when the pressure is ultra-high. In addition, the players seem to enjoy playing for Keefe as evidenced by some of their individual successes. Mitch Marner‘s 99 points and William Nylander‘s 87 points are great examples of younger players coming into their own. On defence, Morgan Rielly will look to bounce back and lead the Maple Leafs backend to playoff success. Easy to do when you have a coach that supports you. Finally, in net, they seem to have found some stability with Ilya Samsonov. His .919 SV% in 42 games is exactly what coach Keefe needs in order to rest easy at night when game planning for playoff victories.
Main photo: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
