Sheldon Keefe expected to sign extension with Maple Leafs.

When Toronto Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan made the decision to fire former general manager Kyle Dubas, many expected that Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe would quickly follow.

Keefe and Dubas had been working together since their time with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, where Keefe served as head coach from 2012-2015, and there was a perception that Keefe was very much a Dubas guy. It has however been a number of weeks since Brad Treliving was named as Dubas' replacement, and if anything it sounds like Keefe's job may be more secure than ever.

Keefe was set to enter the 2023-24 National Hockey League season in the final year of his contract, but there is now talk that Keefe is expected to sign an extension long before that ever happens. NHL insider Darren Dreger reported this week that Keefe is even working hand in hand with Treliving as they seek a replacement for Spencer Carbery who was snatched away by the Washington Capitals who have made Carbery their new head coach.

This may come as a surprise to those who were expecting a seismic shift after another disappointing playoff performance from the Leafs this season, but it makes a great deal of sense when you stop and think about it for more than a moment.

Keefe is coming off an incredibly successful regular season and topped that off with the first playoff series win for the Maple Leafs in nearly two decades, all factors that weigh heavily in his favor. Combine that with his level of familiarity with the current roster and a general lack of exciting coaching candidates available for a big market team like the Maple Leafs and Treliving's decision to not only retain Keefe, but also offer him an extension, starts making a great deal of sense.