Sheldon Keefe will be back behind the Maple Leafs bench in October.
Leafs general manager Brad Treliving told reporters at the NHL Draft in Nashville that the 42-year-old head coach will lead the club through the 2023-24 season.
Keefe’s status had been uncertain since the Leafs fired Kyle Dubas following the team’s second-round playoff elimination.
Treliving said at his introductory press conference last month that he wanted to get to know Keefe, who has one year left on his contract and has yet to sign an extension, before making a decision.
He added that the pair spent over 17 hours together in a series of meetings and he was impressed.
Treliving, who spent nine seasons with the Calgary Flames before his firing in April, said he would not be allowed to sit at the selection table for Wednesday night’s first round until his former club make their pick at number 16. The Leafs, meanwhile, hold the 28th pick.
