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Leafs GM Brad Treliving reveals just how safe Sheldon Keefe really is as the team's coach

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Ryan Smitheram
December 7, 2023 (11:01)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs are currently holding down the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference with a 12-6-4 record, but due to their inability to close out games in regulation and the number of multi-goal leads they have been unable to hold onto, many Leaf fans have been calling for head coach Sheldon Keefe to be fired.

Ahead of the season, Keefe signed an extension with the Leafs so that the Leafs would not have another "lame duck" situation like they did last year with former GM Kyle Dubas. Although he signed an extension, there have been times so far this season that even the media has questioned whether or not his job is safe. Yesterday, Leafs GM Brad Treliving was on TSN1050's Overdrive and was asked about Keefe's performance so far.

"He's a really smart guy. A really detailed guy. I think he has the right message for this group. I said before, his first NHL job is in Toronto, I think he's handled it very well. He has the ability to step back and analyze and not be reactionary and emotional on issues. I like the message he has for our players and he's stead on the rudder. Now that the live bullets are going, I've been impressed with him... Our game can be a lot more consistent. We've seen stretches and pieces of it. The good news is that we have been able to bank some points, but we're not fooling ourselves either that there's work to be done here and the first person that's aware of that is Sheldon. I've been impressed with him and have enjoyed the start with him."

Unfortunately for those of you that think Keefe should be fired, it doesn't sound like that will be happening any time soon, based on Treliving's comments. Unless the Leafs find themselves on a significant losing streak or something, Keefe appears to be here to stay.

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Heading into last season, Keefe said that it was the first time he had an entire summer with his coaching staff since he took over as head coach and it clearly showed in the early parts of the season, specifically. This year, Keefe is working with two new assistants in Mike Van Ryn and Guy Boucher and the adjustments that they all have to make to find a balance between all of their systems can take some time. Yes, we are at the quarter mark of the season, but the Leafs have played better as of late.

Following an overtime loss to the Boston Bruins on Saturday, and with almost a week off, the Leafs will look to begin a consistent run of play tonight against the Ottawa Senators.

Previously on MapleLeafsDaily

Red Wings prospect earns 10-minute misconduct over a chicken nugget... seriously

John Tavares reacts to being reminded of the time he crashed Doug Weight's car into a tree

Sheldon Keefe playing mind games with the media at Wednesday's practice

POLL
7 DECEMBRE \| 628 ANSWERS Leafs GM Brad Treliving reveals just how safe Sheldon Keefe really is as the team's coach Do you think Keefe should have been fired already?
Yes, they should have never brought him back	374	59.6 %
No, unless Jon Cooper is available	254	40.4 %
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