Keefe has been head coach of the Maple Leafs since November 2019.
Keefe has been head coach of the Maple Leafs since November 2019.
The NHL head coaching position continues to be volatile when it comes to security, but Toronto Maple Leafs bench boss Sheldon Keefe has found a way to stand the test of time.
After the Los Angeles Kings dismissed head coach Todd McLellan on Friday, Keefe became the fifth-longest serving NHL head coach.
And he hasn't been on the job for five years yet.
Two-time Stanley Cup winner Jon Cooper is the longest-serving NHL coach, having served in the position with the Tampa Bay Lightning for nearly 11 years. Mike Sullivan also won a pair of Stanley Cups as a head coach when he joined the Pittsburg Penguins a little more than eight years ago.
Keefe has been under heavy scrutiny when it comes to job security over the last season or so. When GM Kyle Dubas was not renewed last summer, the coach had to wait until new GM Brad Treliving decided whether or not he wanted to bring the Leafs coach back.
The 43-year-old Keefe has a record of 191-85-38 (0.669). Although his regular season success is evident, the Maple Leafs have won just one playoff run in the coach's tenure in Toronto.
With a 25-14-8 record this season, this has the chance to be Keefe's worst season yet, but that's with a points percentage of 0.617.
The Leafs are currently in their NHL All-Star Break and sit in fourth place in the Atlantic Division at 58 points, tied with the Detroit Red Wings. However, the Leafs have played. three fewer games.
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