Sheldon Keefe gets honest about future with Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs lost a valuable member of their coaching staff this offseason, as assistant Spencer Carbery departed town to become the new head coach of the Washington Capitals; that position was vacated after the termination of Pater Laviolette. 

They've since hired both Guy Boucher as well as Mike Van Ryn, who have joined head coach Sheldon Keefe's staff on the bench; meanwhile, Manny Malotra was retained by the team but will now serve as their "eye in the sky".

But the main question from fans of the Leafs was with regard to the future of Keefe with the Leafs. There was some thought that new GM Brad Treliving could elect to go in a different direction behind the bench for his first year with Toronto, but those thoughts have officially been put to rest. Keefe will once again coach the Leafs this season - but it also happens to be the final year of his contract.

What exactly does the future hold for Keefe with the Leafs, and is he concerned? It sure doesn't sound like he's paying it much mind. 

"Something that's been mentioned a number of times from Brad that we're going to get to that but really both of us have been focused on our own individual roles," Keefe said.

"I'm not too concerned about it at this point in time, I've enjoyed my time working with Brad and have been so focused on this process that the other stuff to me will work itself out over time."

Since replacing Mike Babcock in November of 2019, Keefe has amassed a total record of 166-71-30. Last season, he became the first Leafs coach since Pat Quinn to lead them to a postseason series victory, a thrilling six-game win over the rival Tampa Bay Lightning. 

Would you be comfortable with Keefe being given an extension, or should they wait until this point next year depending on the 2023-24 results? 

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