Sheldon Keefe on the Maple Leafs' impressive 6-3 win over Edmonton: "We played with lots of attitude... In particular, Emundson and McCabe really set the tone for the team with how they competed"
Sheldon Keefe updates on Ilya Samsonov's injury, indicating it's not serious.
Maple Leafs' top line shutdown, strong defense, and special teams key to victory. [ more ]
Sheldon Keefe on the concern level about the Leafs finishing the regular season on a 4-game losing slide: "I couldn't tell you the score of any of those games, including the one we just finished"
Sheldon Keefe praised Auston Matthews for his 69-goal season and expressed optimism about the team's future. [ more ]
Sheldon Keefe on sending his stars out on a late PP in a 6-1 game vs. Philadelphia: "I had no intention of doing it.. We had tired people... I have to manage my team and my bench"
The Maple Leafs' coach, Sheldon Keefe, praised the team's performance, highlighting the importance of an early goal and solid defending.
Keefe mentioned the significance of goaltending in the game and emphasized Tyler Bertuzzi's offensive contributions. [ more ]
Sheldon Keefe on Ilya Samsonov rising from the ashes to win six of his last eight Leafs starts: "It's a great story for sure... I don't look at it as that big of a thing just because I have always believed in the goalie"
The Maple Leafs improved their record to 30-16-8 with a 4-2 win over the St. Louis Blues.
Matthew Knies made significant plays, drawing penalties and contributing to the team's success. [ more ]
Sheldon Keefe on Mitch Marner and William Nylander stepping up in a Game 4 win in Florida: "It shows they care... They care deeply"
Sheldon Keefe addressed the media after his team's Game 4 win over the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference semifinals.On the team's increased urgency: From an effort standpoint, I think it was our best effort of the season all the way through from start to finish.There was no real letup.Obviously, it is a very close game, but our competitiveness defensively - and our urgency defensively - was the best it has been all year.
Sheldon Keefe on the Maple Leafs' 1-3 record at home in the playoffs so far: "We should have more life and energy at home... We have to fix that, and no better time than Game 2"
After an optional practice on Wednesday, Sheldon Keefe discussed the adjustments needed for Game 2 after a 4-2 loss to the Florida Panthers to open the series.Practice Notes - May 3
Big turnout at Leafs optional practice Among the absences: O'Reilly, Acciari, McCabe, Kampf, Samsonov pic.twitter.com/bcRA5uTy3Z
Game in 10: Maple Leafs manufacture good rebound win in Florida led by their stars and Matt Murray
The Leafs came up with a good response game after their loss to the Islanders led by their star players and Matt Murray, who put up 34 saves and had the type of game you want to see from him at this point in the season.Your game in 10: It was a sleepy first shift for the 1.Leafs as Auston Matthews started the game with an empty-calorie shift before the John Tavares line went out with William Nylander and Michael Bunting, and they gave up an early opportunity as Carter Verhaeghe got off two shots in the high-slot area.
Sheldon Keefe on the Bertuzzi-Matthews-Domi line: "It's not just a short-term thing... It's a real thing that gives our team a completely different look"
Keefe discusses Bertuzzi-Matthews-Domi line impact, Murray's conditioning stint with Marlies, and playoff lineup sense. [ more ]
Sheldon Keefe on splitting up Tavares & Nylander on separate lines: "It was one game, but honestly, I didn't like a lot of how it looked... But we owe it a little bit of time"
Noah Gregor returns after a healthy scratch and Keefe discusses player responses to lineup changes.
Keefe emphasizes the importance of players stepping up when not in the lineup. [ more ]
Sheldon Keefe on Easton Cowan & Fraser Minten making the Team Canada World Junior selection camp roster: "I don't know if they were overly popular picks at the time, but they've just worked... They're absolute competitors"
Sheldon Keefe stopped practice to address the team's performance
Ilya Samsonov's status for Thursday's game is unclear [ more ]
Sheldon Keefe on Morgan Rielly's in-person hearing with the DoPS: "There's a history of events that happen with the Leafs getting more attention and hype... Similar cross-checks to Morgan's didn't require [a hearing]"
Sheldon Keefe discusses Morgan Rielly's in-person hearing and lineup adjustments during his suspension
Keefe talks about Rielly's exemplary conduct and intentions during the incident [ more ]
Sheldon Keefe after the Maple Leafs' second-round playoff exit: "This is a missed opportunity for our group... We believe we had a team good enough to win the Stanley Cup"
Sheldon Keefe addressed the media after his team's second-round playoff exit at the hands of the Florida Panthers.On the difference in the series: For me, we lose the series in the first three games.In Game 4, I thought we played very well.I thought we played well enough to win the game today, but in the first three games, we were in simpler positions than we were in Games 4 and 5, but we didn't handle those situations well and didn't capitalize on our chances.
Sheldon Keefe on the Leafs locking down William Nylander for eight years: "Players of that calibre have unlimited options when they reach free-agency status... When they choose to remain here, it shows their belief in the organization, belief in the city, and the motivation to win in Toronto"
William Nylander signs mega contract
Sheldon Keefe praises Nylander's development [ more ]
Report: All signs point to Sheldon Keefe staying on as Maple Leafs head coach, expected to discuss contract extension this summer
On Friday, we received the most definitive report so far that Sheldon Keefe is staying on as Maple Leafs head coach for the 2022-23 season.Per Darren Dreger, the two have been working together to interview replacements for the departed Spencer Carbery (now head coach of the Washington Capitals) and an extension is likely forthcoming at some point in the summer (which makes sense if he's staying - there is no sense in lame ducking him).
NY Rangers coaching search: Delays are not due to Joel Quenneville - Blue Seat Blogs
Irresponsible Rumormongering Per Larry Brooks, who is doing the work in keeping us sane among these Joel Quenneville rumors, the New York Rangers coaching search delays have nothing to do with Joel Quenneville.Brooks had stated earlier this month that Quenneville is not an option for the Rangers, and is sticking by that.
The search for the next Toronto Marlies head coach: A preliminary list of candidates
The new Maple Leafs General Manager has to attend to the Auston Matthews contract situation, decide whether Sheldon Keefe stays on as head coach, oversee (to the extent he's allowed by the league) the team's upcoming draft, and make a plethora of other player personnel and off-ice personnel decisions throughout the organization this offseason.
Toronto Maple Leafs: 2 Coaches Who Should Replace Sheldon Keefe
After another disappointing loss in the playoffs, Sheldon Keefe could be replaced as the Toronto Maple Leafs head coach.If this is in fact the end of Sheldon Keefe's career behind the Toronto Maple Leafs bench, it's been a great run.Actually, it's been a fantastic run, if you don't include the playoff results.
Sheldon Keefe on the Maple Leafs' 2-0 deficit in the series vs. Florida: "Our group has been resilient... I don't have any doubts in our group"
On an off-day on Friday, Sheldon Keefe discussed his team trailing 2-0 to the Panthers in the series, Matthew Knies' injury, whether 11 and 7 is on the table for Game 3, and the keys to solving Sergei Bobrovsky.Do you have an update on the status of Matthew Knies?Keefe: Knies has been diagnosed with a concussion.
Sheldon Keefe on the different challenge versus the Panthers after a Game 1 loss: "It's a quicker pace out there... We'll make some adjustments for Game 2"
Sheldon Keefe addressed the media after his team's Game 1 loss to the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference semifinals.On how the team fared in the Matthew Tkachuk (3A) matchup: I thought we did a lot better once we made the changes to our lines.In the first period - certainly, the back half of the period, or with that line, I guess I'd say throughout the whole period - they were taking it to us pretty good.
Sheldon Keefe on Justin Holl being on the ice for 14 of 20 Lightning goals in the series: "He is not out there by himself"
Sheldon Keefe addressed the media after his team's 4-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series.On how the team can start to win more of the territorial battle: It is a tight hockey game.We score first in the game, and then they come right back.That was tough.
Sheldon Keefe on the momentum of the series vs. Florida: "If we get one more, perhaps things shift a little bit in terms of pressure"
On an off-day on Thursday, Sheldon Keefe discussed the plan in net for Game 5, Matthew Knies' status, and whether the pressure is starting to shift Florida's way after the Game 4 win by the Leafs.What can you tell us about Ilya Samsonov's status moving forward here?Keefe: I haven't heard an update today on how he is doing, but he hasn't skated and we are not skating today.
Sheldon Keefe on the pressure facing his core forwards ahead of a do-or-die Game 4: "They carried us offensively through the Tampa series... We are here largely on the backs of how they came through for us in clutch moments... They will come through for us again"
After practice on Tuesday, Sheldon Keefe discussed his situation in net ahead of Game 4 and the pressure on his core to step up in Game 4 and extend the series.Practice Lines - May 9
Sheldon Keefe on the Maple Leafs' 7-2 advantage in power-play opportunities vs. Florida: "We are getting hit in the head a lot, so there is that"
After practice on Saturday, Sheldon Keefe discussed the challenge of going out on the road down 2-0 in the series, the penalty disparity in the series, and Mark Giordano's struggles in the playoffs.Practice Lines - May 6
Sheldon Keefe on his team's costly mistakes in the Leafs' Game 2 loss to Florida: "Disappointing... Baffling, frankly"
Sheldon Keefe addressed the media after his team's Game 2 loss to the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference semifinals.On the start of the second period in which the Leafs conceded twice in under a minute: Disappointing.Baffling, frankly.We didn't make those mistakes one time in the last series.
Sheldon Keefe on the matchup against the Florida Panthers: "It's going to be very similar to the type of series we just went through"
After practice on Monday, Sheldon Keefe discussed the challenge ahead against the Panthers in the second round, the city's reaction to the first-round win over Tampa, the excellence of the Morgan Rielly - Luke Schenn pairing in the first round, and the status of Matt Murray's recovery.Practice Lines - May 1
Sheldon Keefe on the Maple Leafs ending their 19-year playoff drought: "I am thrilled for Leafs fans that they get to see second-round hockey... There is a lot more to come"
Sheldon Keefe addressed the media after his team's series victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning.On his emotions when he realized the OT goal was over the line: Jubilation.I don't know.You black out in those moments.You don't know what is going on.You are just really excited.It has been a long time coming for a lot of players in our room, a long time for myself, and even longer for Leafs Nation.
Game in 10: Maple Leafs dig in defensively, Mitch Marner breaks through with GWG to push series to five
There was so much talk about the 0-3 deficit the past few days, which - from a media and fan perspective - is understandable.If you're the team, though, all you can do is win a game and get this series back to Toronto.They just did that.Your game in 10: The 1. Leafs made some subtle changes for this game.
Sheldon Keefe on Mitch Marner's struggles to impact the game as the Maple Leafs fall 3-0 behind to Florida: "He is working out there... He is trying"
Sheldon Keefe addressed the media after his team's Game 3 loss to the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference semifinals.On his top players' inability to break through offensively: Credit to Florida.They defended well.Obviously, Auston rips one off the crossbar just seconds into the game.It could've changed that narrative.
Sheldon Keefe after the Maple Leafs' 3-2 OT loss to Florida: "We've seen this a lot... We let teams hang around, and they end up getting points from you"
Sheldon Keefe addressed the media after his team's 3-2 overtime loss to the Florida Panthers which dropped the Leafs' record to 44-20-10.On the team's performance: I thought we played a good game.We didn't score enough to win.We made some mistakes at the end that cost us the extra point.On the team's inability to find enough offense, including on the power play: Whether it is power plays or some of the chances we had at five-on-five, we had opportunities to bury them and build a substantial lead.