matthewmarleySheldon Keefe, the current head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, is one of the most successful coaches in the NHL. He was appointed as the head coach in November 2019 and has since led the Maple Leafs to the playoffs in both of his seasons. Keefe’s success has led to speculation about his salary, with many wondering how much he earns.
According to reports, Sheldon Keefe’s salary is estimated to be around $2,925,000 per year. This figure puts him in the upper echelon of NHL coaches, but it is still relatively modest compared to some of the league’s highest-paid coaches. Keefe’s salary is reflective of his success with the Maple Leafs, and it is likely to increase if he continues to lead the team to success.
Keefe’s salary is not just a reflection of his success on the ice but also of his experience and reputation in the hockey world. Before joining the Maple Leafs, Keefe was the head coach of the Toronto Marlies, the Maple Leafs’ AHL affiliate. He led the Marlies to the Calder Cup championship in 2018 and was named the AHL’s coach of the year. Keefe’s success with the Marlies made him a highly sought-after coach in the NHL, and his salary reflects his standing in the league.
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Early Life and Career
Sheldon Keefe, born on September 17, 1980, in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, began his hockey career as a player. He played for the Toronto St. Michael’s Majors in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) from 1997 to 2000. In the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, Keefe was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second round, 47th overall. He played in the American Hockey League (AHL) and the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) before retiring in 2006.
After retiring, Keefe became a coach and started his coaching career with the Pembroke Lumber Kings of the Central Junior A Hockey League (CJHL) in 2006. In 2012, he became the head coach of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the OHL. During his tenure, Keefe led the team to three consecutive playoff appearances and a Western Conference championship in 2014.
In 2015, Keefe was hired as the head coach of the Toronto Marlies, the AHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He led the Marlies to a Calder Cup championship in 2018. With his success, Keefe was promoted to head coach of the Maple Leafs in November 2019, replacing Mike Babcock. As head coach, Keefe has led the team to two consecutive playoff appearances and has been praised for his coaching style and ability to develop young players.
Role with Toronto Maple Leafs
Appointment as Head Coach
Sheldon Keefe was appointed as the head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs on November 20, 2019, replacing Mike Babcock. Keefe was promoted from the Toronto Marlies, the Maple Leafs’ AHL affiliate, where he had been the head coach since 2015. Prior to that, he had successful stints coaching in the OHL and with the Pembroke Lumber Kings of the CCHL.
Contract and Salary
Keefe signed a three-year contract with the Maple Leafs when he was appointed head coach. The financial details of the contract were not disclosed, but it is rumored that Keefe’s annual salary is in the range of $3 million to $4 million.
Relationship with Players
Keefe has a strong relationship with his players, particularly the younger ones who he coached in the AHL. He has been praised for his ability to communicate with his players and for his willingness to give them opportunities to succeed. Keefe has also been credited with instilling a sense of trust and accountability among his players.
Regular Season Performance
In his first full season as head coach, Keefe led the Maple Leafs to a 35-14-7 record and a first-place finish in the North Division. The team’s regular season success was largely attributed to Keefe’s coaching style, which emphasized speed, skill, and puck possession. Despite the team’s regular season success, the Maple Leafs were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, leading to questions about Keefe’s ability to lead the team in the postseason.
Career Highlights
Success in the NHL
Sheldon Keefe has had a successful career in the NHL, both as a player and a coach. After retiring from playing, he began coaching in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) before moving on to the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Toronto Marlies. In 2019, he was promoted to head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Under Keefe’s leadership, the Maple Leafs have had a solid regular-season record, making the playoffs in both the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 seasons. Keefe has been praised for his ability to develop young players, and his team has shown improvement in areas such as defensive play and penalty killing.
Calder Cup Championship
Before joining the Maple Leafs, Keefe had success as a coach in the AHL. In the 2017-2018 season, he led the Toronto Marlies to a Calder Cup Championship. The Marlies dominated the playoffs, winning 10 of their 13 games en route to the championship.
Keefe’s coaching style emphasizes speed and skill, and his teams have been successful in implementing this style of play. His success in the AHL earned him a contract extension with the Maple Leafs in 2021, showing the team’s confidence in his ability to lead the team to future success.
Overall, Sheldon Keefe’s career highlights include a Calder Cup Championship and success as a coach in the NHL. With his focus on developing young players and implementing a fast-paced style of play, he has shown the potential to lead the Maple Leafs to success in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Public Perception
Sheldon Keefe’s salary has been a topic of discussion among Toronto Maple Leafs fans and the media. While some believe he deserves to be paid more, others question whether he has proven himself as a successful NHL coach.
Keefe was hired as the head coach of the Maple Leafs in November 2019, and since then, he has led the team to two playoff appearances. However, the team has been unable to advance past the first round, which has led to criticism of Keefe’s coaching abilities.
Despite this, Keefe has received praise for his work with star center Auston Matthews, who has become one of the league’s top players under his tutelage. This has led some to argue that Keefe’s impact on the team goes beyond wins and losses.
In terms of salary, Keefe is currently making $1.6 million per year, which puts him in the middle of the pack among NHL coaches. Some fans and media members believe he deserves to be paid more, given his success in developing young players and his impact on the team.
Overall, the public perception of Keefe’s salary is mixed. While some believe he deserves a raise, others question whether he has proven himself as a successful NHL coach.
Future Prospects
Sheldon Keefe’s future prospects with the Toronto Maple Leafs are looking bright. With his contract extension signed in the offseason, Keefe will remain the head coach of the team for the foreseeable future. This extension shows the confidence that the Leafs organization has in Keefe’s ability to lead the team to success.
Keefe’s success with the Leafs has been impressive since he took over from Mike Babcock in November 2019. Under his leadership, the team has made the playoffs in both seasons and has shown improvements in their overall performance. Keefe’s focus on a fast-paced, offensive style of play has been a refreshing change for the Leafs and has led to some exciting games.
In terms of salary, Keefe is currently making $2.9 million per year, which is a reasonable amount for a head coach in the NHL. While there have been rumors about other teams, such as the Montreal Canadiens and Anaheim Ducks, potentially being interested in Keefe, it seems unlikely that he would leave the Leafs at this point in time.
Looking ahead, the Leafs will need to continue to build on their success under Keefe if they hope to make a deep playoff run. The team has some tough competition in the Eastern Conference, including the Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, and Columbus Blue Jackets. However, with Keefe at the helm, the Leafs have a solid chance of making it to the playoffs and potentially even winning the Stanley Cup.
