NHL Analyst Calls Out Maple Leafs Head Coach After Recent Decisions

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Hunter Bowman
December 31, 2023 (8:03 PM)

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Over the weekend, tensions flared as Kevin Bieksa expressed his frustration with Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe's decision to bench a player for defensive lapses.

Coach Keefe introduced a "low tolerance" policy for defensive mistakes, exemplified by scratching fourth-line center David Kampf during Saturday night's game.

«Sheldon Keefe says there is going to be «less tolerance» for defensive mistakes going forward and cites David Kampf as a scratch as an example of that tonight. Pontus Holmberg will draw in.»

Despite the Leafs' narrow 3-2 loss that night, with the final goal an empty-netter, Keefe's defensive message seemed to have an impact.

On the Sportsnet panel, Kevin Bieksa criticized Keefe's approach, questioning the choice to bench Kampf and redirecting blame to goaltender Ilya Samsonov.

"It's another excuse we're making for the goaltending. It's another bad goal by Samsonov.

You're picking the wrong guy. You're picking Kampf, a guy who is your number one defensive center who makes a million great defensive plays on a team with a lot of guys that don't make a lot of great plays with the puck.

How many turnovers have there been tonight? Has the message been sent? Or is it just we are gonna pick on this one guy and hopefully everyone else gets in line?"

Bieksa's frustration is evident as he suggests that Keefe's focus on Kampf is misplaced and emphasizes the need for accountability across the entire team.

For Keefe, the challenge lies in maintaining discipline without playing favorites, ensuring that the team collectively improves its defensive performance and achieves more victories with fewer goals against.

Source: Houseofhockey