Same coach, fresh result? Maple Leafs back Keefe's leadership with extension

TORONTO — Same coach, fresh start.

That is how Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving has been framing his decision to run it back with inherited head coach Sheldon Keefe, who can now exhale a sigh of relief and concentrate solely on the upcoming training camp with Wednesday's unshackling of lame-duck status.

After June's thorough evaluation and getting-to-know-him process, Treliving publicly endorsed a no-doubt anxious Keefe, whose No. 1 supporter in this business, Kyle Dubas, was ousted in those shaky days following Keefe's fifth post-season series defeat in six attempts.

“He’s open to change,” an encouraged Treliving said at the time. “He's strong in his beliefs, but he also doesn't think he's got all the answers.”

Treliving beat this drum again on a Zoom call once the ink had dried: "He's exploring and sort of pushing the envelope on ways that we can be better."

By signing a two-year extension, Keefe, who is entering the final season in his current deal, receives and jolt of confidence and authority. He also guarantees himself financial security through the 2025-26 season.

Treliving eliminates a measure of stress and distraction three weeks before Keefe's players officially report to camp for yet another all-in campaign, leading a run-it-back core and refreshed support roster that includes a dozen Leafs players embarking on contract years.

Despite not knowing Keefe prior to his own hiring, the busy Treliving has meshed well with the work-obsessed coach this off-season. The two men dove headfirst into their off-season to-do lists: Re-sign Auston Matthews, tweak and flesh out Keefe's bench staff, recruit some overdue sandpaper, and figure out the goaltending.

The detail-oriented Keefe spoke to all this summer's unrestricted free agents the Leafs before Treliving signed them up.

"I've really enjoyed getting to know and now working with Sheldon throughout the summer. We've spent a lot of time together. We've gone through the draft and spending time there and through free agency, and we talk daily about the team-building process, putting together his staff," Treliving said. "As I said Sheldon would be coming back, I was really impressed then. And I continue to be more impressed each day.

"I've really enjoyed getting to know him, and I think he's a terrific man. I think he's a terrific coach."

"When you've got good people, you want to keep them."

No doubt, Treliving's willingness to bet on the status quo has been informed by history. When the GM took over the Calgary Flames job in 2014, he held onto Bob Hartley, who went on to win the Jack Adams Award in his first season under Treliving.

The executive's double-down on Keefe also arrives after conversations with Toronto's dressing room leaders, who publicly and privately offered support for their coach.

"I kinda had a little bit of insight before everyone else [that he'd be back]," Mitch Marner said. "But obviously he's done a great job with our team."

Adds Treliving: "He's demanding, and he expects a lot. He pushes these guys, but there's a real trust factor. What I've gathered from the players is, they trust them. They trust that he's doing the right thing by them.... The feedback from the players was in strong support of Sheldon."

Much like the rest of this Maple Leafs era, the 42-year-old Keefe has enjoyed undeniable regular-season success (166-71-30, five straight playoff appearances) and infuriating results when it matters most (a 13-17 playoff game record and 1-5 series record).

Head-to-head in spring, even with the advantage of hard-earned home ice, Keefe and his group have come up short many times. Except not too many to be granted another crack.

"When I just look at all the attributes to me that are important for a coach, Sheldon's got them," Treliving said.

"You have to put yourself in position year after year to get to the dance to give yourself an opportunity, and Sheldon has done that each and every year."

Your own opinion of Keefe, dear reader, reveals how much you value getting an invite to the dance (no small feat now that half the league is left out in the cold) versus the impression you make under the bright lights.

Despite being the NHL's second-youngest head coach, Keefe is already the eighth-longest tenured among his peers and ranks sixth all-time in Maple Leafs wins. Under Keefe, the Leafs have thrown down back-to-back 50-win campaigns and, in 2021-22, set franchise records for most wins (54) and points (115) during a single season.

“Coaching this team has been a great privilege, and I'm truly excited at the opportunity to continue building towards our ultimate goal,” Keefe said in a statement Wednesday. (He was not immediately available to reporters.)

“I’m thankful for the support from MLSE and its ownership along with Brendan Shanahan and Brad 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.”

For all the questions and distractions Keefe's second extension eliminates, his contract does not guarantee success or employment through 2026.

Heck, look no further than Keefe's successor, Mike Babcock, as an example for how swiftly favour can turn in this business. Despite being fired in 2019, Babcock was cashing MLSE cheques through this past June.

And the fact one of Keefe's new chosen assistants, Guy Boucher, arrives with more playoff experience will provide an interesting wrinkle if the high-expectation Maple Leafs hit the skids.

"We went out and found what he thought was the best people in those jobs," Treliving said.

"Sheldon is not worried about making decisions that may or may not be in his best interest publicly. You know, hiring a guy who's been a head coach before and the narrative that could go around that. He's going out to find the very best [assistant] coach for our team and for the job that he saw fit."

With this latest extension, with Keefe's new lease and longer leash, Shanahan and Treliving are reaffirming yet another chance with the same principals.

Same coach.

Fresh result?