Sheldon Keefe, the head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, received a $25,000 fine from the NHL due to “unprofessional conduct directed at the officials.” This marks the second time in two years that he has faced discipline for his interactions with referees. During the team’s recent game against the Vegas Golden Knights, Keefe was ejected from the game for expressing frustration towards the referees, particularly regarding a penalty call against Mitch Marner. Despite being warned to stop, Keefe continued to voice his discontent, resulting in a game misconduct. Keefe later acknowledged the incident, expressing a commitment to improve his behavior. The NHL’s decision to fine Keefe aligns with their efforts to promote respectful communication between coaches and officials, as emphasized during a meeting with general managers and coaches prior to the start of the season. This stricter enforcement of conduct standards extends beyond Keefe, with other coaches like Greg Cronin and Don Granato also receiving fines for similar behavior.
