With a two-year extension in place, Sheldon Keefe appears to have the full confidence of the Leafs' new General Manager, Brad Treliving.
The working relationship between Keefe and his former GM, Kyle Dubas, has always been complex. On a recent podcast episode, Don Cherry delved into this, suggesting that Dubas was perhaps too hands-on in his management style. Commenting on the decision to bring in emergency backup goalie (EBUG) Jett Alexander from the University of Toronto, Cherry stated:
According to Don Cherry, Keefe may find a more liberating work environment under Brad Treliving as compared to Kyle Dubas. This could open the door for Keefe to revert to the strategies and lineups that earned him a championship with the Marlies.
In summary, Cherry's insights suggest that Dubas' highly involved approach could have had negative long-term implications. Under the new administration, it seems Keefe will have the freedom to coach more authentically, free from upper-level micro-management.