Sheldon Keefe had a very important message to send at practice on Tuesday regarding the team's physicality
After being given Sunday off as a rest day following a preseason double-header against the Ottawa Senators, the Leafs were back at work on Monday and Tuesday take part in intense practices.
While Monday was satisfactory in the effort department, Tuesday was not and Sheldon Keefe made sure the players knew it, halting practice and bag skating his players for the second time during training camp.
Towards the end of practice, Keefe gathered his team to give them a clear and concise message. What was good enough last season is not good enough this season. Keefe appears to be demanding an increased physical presence in 2022-23.
-Keefe to his players after a Tuesday bag-skating
We saw first hand in the All or Nothing documentary on Amazon Prime that Sheldon Keefe is not a pushover. He's not someone who appreciates a diminished effort. He wants 100% from everyone on the team during 100% of their shifts and during practice.
The Leafs arguably have more riding on this season than any other team in the NHL. Certainly more than any of the contending teams. It's either win to re-write the narrative or don't win, prolong the narrative that this team cannot win when it matters and watch the heads roll next summer. Keefe does not have time for diminished efforts. He wants to win and if the team also wants to win, they'll have to pick up what he's putting down, which is that maximum effort is the only way to do that.
