Toronto Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe has announced a reduction in tolerance for defensive mistakes within the team, exemplified by the benching of forward David Kampf for the first time since joining the club. Keefe expressed dissatisfaction with Kampf's performance, particularly citing an offensive zone giveaway that led to Adam Fantilli's game-tying third period goal. The coach emphasized the need for saves, points, and wins, acknowledging that while they are already using their third goalie, performance expectations in the NHL remain high. Pontus Holmberg will replace Kampf in the lineup, indicating a clear message to the team that repeated errors will lead to decreased playing time.
Sheldon Keefe on benching Kampf: "You try to trust your guys and give them opportunities to go back out and do right, but the tolerance for the same types of mistakes that are happening when we’re in positions (to win a game) of late, is going to be a lot less." #Leafs
Sheldon Keefe benches forward David Kampf, Maple Leafs coach says ‘less tolerance’ for mistakes https://t.co/zYezGLL373 via @koshtorontosun #Leafs #MapleLeafs #LeafsForever https://t.co/r3ZiFpBJwu
"There needs to be some accountability..." Sick of his team's mistakes defensively, Sheldon Keefe is scratching #Leafs forward David Kampf for the first he joined the club. Why it's happening and will it force others to step up? https://t.co/x4wJrAE7QY https://t.co/x4wJrAE7QY
Keefe on benching Kampf and the mistakes being made by the #Leafs in general: "I guess you could call it a message to the group in the sense that there's going to be less tolerance for that. We’ve got to get better in this area. That’s it."
Sheldon Keefe says David Kämpf will be a healthy scratch tonight. Keefe wasn’t happy with mistakes that Kämpf (among others) made last night, including an o-zone giveaway that led to Adam Fantilli’s game-tying third period goal.
David Kampf is a healthy scratch for #Leafs tonight.
Per Keefe, Kampf is being benched tonight. Holmberg draws in #Leafs
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. @BodogCA
Sheldon Keefe in post-game, asked if there are any alternatives for Samsonsov at this point. Mention they are already into their third goalie and then you'd be going into your goalies that are developing. But.. "It’s the NHL, we need saves, we need points and we need wins, so I’m…