2 More Years for Keefe
Photo From Toronto Sun
The
Leafs are back in the news once again as the team announced they have signed
Sheldon Keefe to a 2-year extension which was confirmed by Elliott Friedman. Now
right away I know Leaf fans are grumbling and complaining about this Leaf news
but to the doubters I ask Who do you replace him with? Sheldon is a guy who has
had success at every level he has coached he is 6th all-time in wins
as Leaf coach with 166 only 8 wins away from passing Mike Babcock for 5th
all-time. Yes, the lack of playoff success is against him but he’s the first
coach since Pat Quinn to get the Leafs to round two. One important detail Keefe
critics are ignorantly ignoring is to make the postseason you need to have
success in the regular season first. In four years as Leafs bench boss Sheldon
has become the franchise leader in points percentage with a .678%. That means
for those who want to criticize that under Sheldon Keefe the Toronto Maple
Leafs regularly finish in the top 16 qualifying for the playoffs.
Although
Keefe was able to break the Leafs streak of first-round eliminations as Toronto
eliminated Tampa Bay in six games this doesn’t give Sheldon a two-year grace
period. As the team prepares for training camp Sheldon must use these next two
seasons to continue to get results from his players and there needs to be a
continued sense of progression under Sheldon because if not? Then we all know
what will happen. In my opinion in the next two seasons, Sheldon needs to get
the Leafs to the final four to quiet the critics. If you have followed my blog
from the very beginning, you have seen me at times criticize Sheldon and at
times you have seen me support Sheldon. I think extending him was the right
thing to do and that is simply because the numbers show that he can get results
from the team, and I think that will only continue in the next few seasons.
With
the Auston Matthews extension sorted out and now Sheldon Keefe is signed to a
new deal William Nylander we are waiting for you.
First of all congratulations Sheldon you deserved it as a rookie coach with no professional experience or qualifications!What you managed to accomplish was amazing and just came up short from a miracle on ice.However this year you’re reaction time will be quicker to resolve ,issues that might arise more effectively .You know what it takes to be a winner,and because of your great hockey mind ,you put the time in, and do your homework to achieve the best possible results of your team performance.Your execution and patience on the bench is spot on as a great communicator that leads by example!Who could ask for more!Good Luck and God Bless,you this new hockey season!Go Leafs Go!
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