One of the top AHL coaches looks close to being off the market as the Toronto Maple Leafs organization is close to an agreement with Toronto Marlies head coach Sheldon Keefe to be one of the highest-paid coaches in AHL history, Nick Kypreos of Hockey Night in Canada reported late last night.
“It’s safe to say he’d be one of the AHL’s highest-paid coaches in history but it’s a contract that wouldn’t keep him from getting a job in the National Hockey League should teams come knocking,” Kypreos said.
The 38-year-old Keefe, who coached the Marlies to the Calder Cup Championship last season, is expected to have an NHL out-clause that would allow him to break his contract if hired by an NHL team, which could be quite possible as his name already has surfaced quite a bit in the last couple of seasons. Keefe has been with the Marlies since the 2015-16 season after coming over from the Saul Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the OHL. Keefe has amassed a 183-84-21 record in four seasons in the AHL. The Marlies are currently in third place in the North Division, but have struggled with goaltending issues this season.
Gotta have a coach for when they fire “the greatest coach that ever lived” Babcock who bites his nose off to spite his face.
Not a bad gig. Either stay in the AHL and get paid or move on to an NHL team. Always a lot of talk around him.
Just like Blashill that worked great for Detroit.
This is your time to call him going to Ottawa JD maybe Edmonton let’s hear your expert expertise on yet another hockey topic.
I’m a wings fan and was happy when Babcock left. He’s complained when the Wings had no upcoming prospects. What do expect when the team has been one of the most successful franchise us over the past 25 years. You don’t get the high draft picks anymore and eventually the well ran dry in Detroit. His regular season record has been good but when it comes to play his performances have not been one a $5 million coach even in his final years with the wings.I don’t think his relationship with Dubas has been all that good.
Secretly this is Dubas getting the contract negotiations going early for when they fire Babcock and bring up Keefe as Leafs coach