Alex Kerfoot found himself in Sheldon Keefe's doghouse in loss to Vancouver
In last nights 3-2 loss for the Leafs against the Vancouver Canucks, a staple of the Tavares and Nylander line was not on the ice for much of the third period. Forward, Alexander Kerfoot played a season low 10 minutes and 35 seconds and was benched for the final 10 minutes of last nights loss.
Kerfoot has been having a career season for the Leafs. He has 31 points in 45 games and for the majority of the season has gelled nicely with John Tavares and William Nylander. Although the line has been good for the majority of the season, they have struggled as of late - especially Kerfoot who has been held pointless and is a combined -5 in his last 4 games.
The Leafs, thankfully, have good depth on the wing. Ilya Mikheyev and Pierre Engvall are also both having career seasons while top prospect, Nick Robertson has returned from injury and has been playing well with the Toronto Marlies since his return. With the trade deadline looming and Kerfoot being in Keefe's doghouse, does this put the 27-year-old winger on the hot seat? He's having a career season and makes $3.5 million against the cap this season and next. If the Leafs bring in a player who makes a lot of money, Kerfoot could be on the way out in order to make the salary cap work.
Keefe is clearly sending a message to Kerfoot. The Leafs have other hungry wingers who are likely itching for a spot on a line with Tavares and Nylander and if he is not producing, it could result in less ice time like we saw on Saturday for the Vancouver native.
