Brad Treliving Reveals Why He Extended Sheldon Keefe

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Dawson Mckenzie
August 30, 2023 (2:31 PM)

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When Kyle Dubas left the Leafs to join Pittsburgh, a mass exodus of the Leafs' coaching staff was announced. The vast majority were set to change, except for Sheldon Keefe. Many speculated on whether or not Keefe was skating on thin ice with the club.

Belief in Keefe

With the announcement of Keefe's two-year extension, Treliving made it clear that he believes Keefe will be the coach to take the Leafs to the next level.

Brad Treliving, on his decision to give head coach Sheldon Keefe a contract extension: "I think Sheldon is a top coach. I think he's a really, really good coach. ... When you've got good people you want to keep them."

Treliving said Keefe is "a top coach ... smart ... great communicator."

Treliving has complete belief in Keefe's ability as a coach to take the club to the next level. His success in advancing last season has only extended his resume with the Club.

"To me, to have success in this league, you need to keep knocking on the door...When I just look at all the attributes for what are important for a coach, Sheldon's got them"

The Players Coach

Treliving noted that Keefe's status in the eyes of the players wasn't a main factor in the decision, but it did help justify keeping him behind the bench. Keefe is well known as being a players coach, beloved by many of the Leafs star players.

Treliving on getting the players' input on Keefe:

"It's not a popularity contest. But you can tell when a coach has had an impact...And that's one thing that came back to me consistently with the players"

"He's got a real good relationship with our players...

"It's not about being liked as a coach, it's about being respected"

#Leafsforever Treliving re Keefe

Brad Treliving says eliminating distraction is just a byproduct of extending Sheldon Keefe: "This gets done because I really think we've got a good coach here."