The Leafs finally won a playoff series last season for the first time in nearly two decades, but it was still not enough to satiate fans who have been patiently awaiting a lengthy playoff for the first time since The Lord of the Rings was still in theatres and 50 Cent's "In Da Club" was topping the charts in the US in the early 2000's.
It had originally seemed like Kyle Dubas was prepared to make significant changes this summer, but when he was let go by the team's President, Brendan Shanahan, all bets were off. We all had questions about whether the core 4 and Sheldon Keefe would be back, but we quickly found out from Shanahan and new GM Brad Treliving that the core would return in its entirety. The future was less certain for Keefe.
When Brad Treliving spoke with the media this week following the Auston Matthews extension announcement, he confirmed that he and Keefe would be getting together at some point to open discussions on a possible contract extension. This, after informing fans that Keefe would, of course, be returning behind the bench next season.
It's entirely possible that Treliving will delay a Keefe contract extension until after we know what the team looks like on the ice. We know they look good on paper, but it's up to the coach to ensure that his team is performing to the level of expectation placed upon them by the organization.
Treliving could be saving a bullet for Keefe if the Leafs struggle out of the gates this season. If that's the case, we should probably expect that an extension announcement won't be imminent. However, if Treliving does come together with Keefe to hammer out an extension that is announced prior to the start of the season, then I suppose that means that Treliving thinks he already has the right man for the job.
