Brad Treliving Speaks Regarding Head Coach's Contract Negotiations & Future With Maple Leafs

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Travis Neil
August 26, 2023 (8:09 PM)

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There has been an update on the future of Sheldon Keefe as the Head Coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Treliving Comments on Working with Keefe

Brad Treliving at the press conference after the announcement of Matthews' contract touched base on working with Sheldon Keefe.

One of them was the future of head coach Sheldon Keefe, who Treliving said he's «enjoyed getting to know,» and the two parties will continue to work on an extension.

Since taking over behind the Toronto bench early in the 2019-20 season after the team fired Mike Babcock, Keefe has put together a 166-71-30 record as an NHL head coach, good enough for a .678 points percentage. The 42-year-old coach is entering the final season of a two-year extension he had signed before the 2021-22 campaign started. While he hasn't yet guided the team to any sustained playoff success, he has overseen one of the most successful regular-season stretches in franchise history, leading Toronto to have one of the longest active playoff streaks in the league. Without a Conference Final appearance to speak of, however, it would surprise many to see a long-term extension for Keefe announced.

-ProHockeyRumors

Despite not getting the team to the conference finals it is clear the Treliving likes having Keefe around the team and many of the players have said they like playing for Keefe.

Other Topics Discussed

Treliving when talking about the Matthews' extension expected to dole out that kind of money.

"In the situation he's in, he could have come in and demanded more than he got" - Treliving

He also talked about filling out the roster while having to dance around the salary cap limit with Treliving having to shed around $3 million in cap before the season starts.

Despite that Treliving is still considering adding a couple more minor additions.

Nylander and Treliving are going to be taking their time with their contract extension with the GM seeing it more as a "partnership more than a negotiation". If the two can't get a deal done by the deadline Treliving may be willing to trade the Swedish player.

Lastly Treliving spoke highly on Joseph Woll believing he is ready to be the backup goalie behind Ilya Samsonov. The signing of veteran Martin Jones is for insurance purposes.

As Seen on Pro Hockey Rumors - Maple Leafs Notes: Keefe, Matthews, Depth, Nylander, Woll