Bunting snubs Sheldon Keefe, winds up benched for the rest of the game

The Leafs played a solid game against the Nashville Predators on Sunday. After a rocky first few minutes, the Buds took control of the game and never looked back. Joseph Woll was fantastic between the pipes, stopping 23 of 25 and marking some spectacular saves in the process. There wasn't much to be critical of in tonight's win.

Of course, nothing is perfect, and it seems like a rift may be forming between Head Coach Sheldon Keefe and pending UFA Michael Bunting. The two have known each other since their days together with the Soo Greyhounds, so this could be a regular thing with them. Bunting chose the Leafs, in part, because Dubas and Keefe were there, so maybe we shouldn't read too much into the incident that occurred during the third period tonight.

With the Leafs up 2-1 and just over 6 minutes left on the clock, the broadcast picked up what appeared to be an disagreement between Keefe and Bunting. Keefe was clearly trying to drill something into Bunting's head, gesturing with his hands. Bunting turned away to watch the play while Keefe was still talking. It didn't look like much, but Bunting didn't play another shift in the game. His 12:25 minutes were the lowest on the team, save for Wayne Simmonds and Zach Aston-Reese - neither of whom broke 11 minutes in ice time.




Keefe has been tough on Bunting over the past few weeks, moving him down the lineup when he feels the Scarborough native isn't playing up to his potential and calling him out in the media. He's also been frustrated by the amount of penalties Bunting has taken this season. The Leafs' best agitator hasn't exactly endeared himself to the referees this year (to be fair, neither has Keefe), so perhaps many of the calls against him are reputation calls.

As I'm writing this, neither Keefe not Bunting have commented on the incident or the subsequent benching.