Maple Leafs Rumors: Sheldon Keefe to Return Next Season

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe has a contract for next season, however there's been growing speculation about his future with the club after the team fired close friend and general manager Kyle Dubas. Toronto has since hired Brad Treliving to replace Dubas and while all the signs were pointing to Keefe being shown the door, it sounds like that's not the case at all.

Treliving has been honest in his evaluation process, and early signs are positive for Keefe. There's now speculation brewing the team and Keefe are working on a contract extension to cover next season. The Maple Leafs are against having him as a 'lame duck' with no job security for next season. The new GM had this to say about what he's seen to this point:

My outside lens of Sheldon. I think he's a really good coach. My view of determining if he's good, bad, indifferent, you have to work with him and you have to get to know him. I'm coming in with no preconceived notions.

Yes, the unexpected does happen in Toronto on a regular basis when it comes to the Maple Leafs, so things can change quickly. But to this point, all signs are suggesting Keefe will be back and the team will announce his contract extension sometime before July 1.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported on the coaching situation in Toronto and mentioned:

If he's back, I think we're in a situation where they won't go in with him in his last year, I think there will be an extension if he returns as coach of the Leafs

Expect to see some news either way from the Maple Leafs soon.