‘Thrilled to be back’: Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe ready for fresh start with new GM Brad Treliving

Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe feels as if he’s getting a new start with his old team.

New GM Brad Treliving confirmed this week that Keefe would return as coach of the Leafs after meetings between the two proved they were on the same page with the hockey team.

“Obviously, I’m thrilled to be back,” Keefe told reporters in Nashville on Thursday during the second day of the NHL draft. “It’s been a process, but a good process, a thorough one, at times uncertain and uncomfortable, but a good process and a necessary one and understanding the position that Brad and the organization are in. But of course, thrilled to continue on.”

It’s common for a new general manager to want to bring in a new coach. And given Keefe had such close ties to former GM Kyle Dubas, and only one year on his contract, Keefe found himself in a holding pattern after Treliving took over the team.

“I just approached it as though I was starting anew in a lot of ways,” said Keefe. “It’s a new relationship, nothing pre-existing with Brad. Going through that process, (is like) you’re interviewing for any job. Part of (the conversation) was where we’ve been, what we’ve been through, how we’ve handled different situations, and where I think the team is at.”

The process took a “number” of days, said Keefe.

“I respect that he took the time and was that thorough,” said Keefe. “That showed me that he was serious about it. It’s an important decision for him. While uncomfortable at times in terms of some of the questions and the uncertainty for myself, he was easy to talk to and made it comfortable that way. And the more time you spend together, the more excited you get about working with him. So I’m thrilled with how it’s worked out.

“In my case it’s not a new position. But I do look at it in the sense that there is some newness to this and that your boss is different and comes from a different place.”

Keefe said he appreciates Treliving’s view of the team.

“Brad has come in with a really good perspective. He’s got great personality and is good to be around, but still got great experience, lots of connections and a fresh perspective I think that is healthy for our group,” said Keefe. “He had great respect for how our team has defended and how our team has evolved, the effort and commitment that our best players have shown on the defensive side of the puck and how that has developed over the years.

“I think that’s something that he believes is the foundation of any team and in particular when it’s led by your best people. I think he’s seen the growth in our players and how they’ve done that over my tenure as coach.

Keefe said he and Treliving would talk about an extension after the team clears up other business. Beyond free agency, which begins July 1, Keefe has to look for an assistant coach to replace Spencer Carbery, who is now head coach of the Washington Capitals. And Treliving has to find a new coaching staff for the Toronto Marlies.

Happy Kämpfer

One piece of business that happened during the draft was the signing of a four-year extension for David Kämpf, a move that seemed to please Keefe. Kämpf doesn’t provide a lot of offence, but is a top checking centre.

“He has shown that he can take on big minutes, play against anybody,” Keefe said of Kämpf. “So that’s an important guy to have. And the more depth you can have at centre as a coach, you’re thrilled about that.”

Kämpf said on a zoom call Thursday he wanted to come back to Toronto because he and his family love it here. He’s also happy Keefe is returning as coach.

“I think he’s a good coach,” said Kämpf. “He has a good feeling for the game.”

Kämpf, who signed a four-year, $9.6-million deal, had his best two offensive seasons in Toronto with 26 and 27 points each.

“I think I can still be better,” said Kämpf. “This is my goal, to be better every year. And I’m trying my best over the summer to get better.”

“I like David a lot. The staff really likes David,” said Treliving. “It’s a premier position. You look you look right now at the market. To try to find centres is difficult. We felt it’s a manageable number given his age (28) and where he can play in the lineup. There’s some versatility to him.”

Leafs pleased with picks

Treliving tried to move down at Day 2 of the NHL draft, but there were no takers. The Leafs took 19-year-old centre Hudson Malinoski of the AJHL Brooks Bandits 153rd overall, and chose 18-year-old left-handed defenceman Noah Chadwick of the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

“We were excited to get Hudson,” said Treliving. “We spent a lot of time trying to acquire more picks coming in. That was probably our No. 1 priority to see if we could manufacture some more picks. But it was it was difficult and ultimately nothing happened.

“Hudson was the guy we were focused on and seeing if maybe we could slide down a little bit, get him at a different spot. When that didn’t materialize, we made the pick.”

He said there was no chance they were going to trade out of Wednesday’s first round. The team really liked who was available at 28th and they took London Knights forward Easton Cowan. He said other teams behind them had Cowan high on their lists.

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