Maple Leafs: Will the coach keep his job for a long time?

The Toronto Maple Leafs have made important decisions this season, including changing their general manager and awarding a contract extension to Auston Matthews, but the long-term future of their head coach Sheldon How should fuel the discussions.

The 42-year-old has been in charge since the middle of the 2019-20 season and helped his cause somewhat by helping the team finally win a series last spring, something they haven’t achieved since 2004. However, expectations remain high. For a band that includes big names like Matthews, John Tavares and Mitch Marner. If Toronto continues to struggle in the playoffs, Keefe could find himself in the hot seat.

Moreover, the presence of new GM Brad Treliving and the contract with one season remaining are other factors that add to the doubts. According to CapFriendly, the Pilot will receive $1.95 million in 2023-2024, as planned in the expanded agreement on September 30, 2021. The Leafs’ performance should say a lot about the rest.

“We’ll continue to work and talk about Sheldon-related issues, and then we’ll see where all of this takes us,” Friday Trilling said, according to the magazine. Hockey News. I can say that I really appreciate getting to know him. I think he’s a great guy and coach. Let’s see where we are.”

Still, Keefe can cheer himself up by thinking his new boss could have put another man of confidence behind the bench after Chairman Brendan Shanahan named Kyle Dubas’ successor to the GM bench.

“We discuss the team-building process daily. Since we tracked him down and confirmed Sheldon’s back, I’ve been really impressed and I still feel that every day,” added the general manager.

The fans are still waiting

However, professional sport is about results and Keefe would certainly like his team to start their schedule strong. In pursuit of its first Stanley Cup since the spring of 1967, the organization eclipsed the salary cap by more than $13 million this summer, but that didn’t guarantee it distinction in the competitive Atlantic Division.

Also, the Leafs have won 50 or more each of the last two years and under their current coach they have always played for . 600 or more. However, their playoff record is 13-17 with him.