Keefe’s future, and more predictions

Does new Leafs GM Brad Treliving keep Sheldon Keefe around or let him go? How about a trade: Keefe for Mike Sullivan? I’m with Nick Kypreos: Keefe is Kyle Dubas’s guy, so for that reason alone (given everything of late) he has to go. My money is still on Joel Quenneville at some point, assuming he can show that he has grown since the shameful 2010 incident. I think he’ll give the team the swagger it is missing from a leadership perspective. Bill L.

It would not surprise me to have Keefe start the season and see how things go. Treliving kept Bob Hartley his first season in Calgary. Keefe will coach 20 more years in the NHL. He’ll work for a variety of GMs. Dubas will manage for decades, working with a variety of coaches. Let’s not get too caught up in who is whose guy.

Hi, Kevin. Any predictions on the state of the Leafs come July 2? Gary A.

The core together. Auston Matthews signs a short-term extension. William Nylander waits. Luke Schenn, Noel Acciari and David Kämpf re-sign. The rest of the UFAs move on. Could be an ugly arbitration date awaiting the Leafs and Ilya Samsonov.

If Brendan Shanahan is such a “good” president, why did he not have a contingency plan anticipating the Kyle Dubas debacle? Do you agree Shanahan has to go and a major overhaul is needed?

Dan W.

I’ve got a feeling Shanahan has a job for life. He knows how to manage up. He knows how to glad-hand. There was no Plan B until he needed one.

Why not trade Auston Matthews? He only plays when he wants to, he’s only talented when he wants to be. It’s really obvious that he only does things when he wants to, not the coach or the fans or anyone else. I have seen this spoiled little talented kid from the beginning. He has a natural talent and has never had to work real hard at his game ... Now Marner, class act from Day 1. Magic Mitch can play any position ... but he doesn’t get near the credit from the media that Matthews does. Keep Mitch, for sure. Matthews, who cares.

Marie H.

Agree with you on Marner, disagree completely on Matthews. I’m not sure Oilers fans would be comparing Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl this way. Or Penguins fans pitting Sidney Crosby against Evgeni Malkin, likewise Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane in their heyday in Chicago. Keep both and keep going.

I agree keeping Matthews and making him the centrepiece of the team is imperative. I believe he has more to offer before he departs for the U.S. My question for you is: Marner or Nylander? My hope is to jettison the latter.

Gerry G.

The only reason you “jettison” one of them is if you think you need the cap space. I don’t see a player in free agency worth giving Marner-type or Nylander-type money.

Do you think the Leafs’ playoffs came to an end because of lack of effort, needing better defence or that there will always be some teams that are composed in a way that will defeat your strengths and expose your weaknesses, and Florida was that team this year? Dave S.

It wasn’t lack of effort. Maybe lack of execution.