Sheldon Keefe release official statement on Kyle Dubas’ return to Toronto maple leafs

Sheldon Keefe on Kyle Dubas’ re-visitation of Toronto: ” Sheldon Keefe discussed the return of Timothy Liljegren, Ryan Reaves’ injury prognosis, the decision to use Martin Jones instead of Ilya Samsonov in net against Pittsburgh, and Kyle Dubas’ return to Toronto prior to Saturday’s game against the Penguins.

Morning Skate Lines – Dec. 16

What do you anticipate from Timothy Liljegren returning into the setup despite the fact that he hasn’t had the option to profit from a ton of training time?

Keefe: That has made it difficult to get him up to speed. We anticipated holding a practice for him yesterday, but we ultimately decided that the rest of the group would benefit more from the day off.

Even just watching the morning skate will be a challenge for him, but it will also be a difficult stretch of the schedule due to the number of games we played. It is the hardest stretch we’ve had throughout the season. He gives the impression of being young, enthusiastic, and eager to play.

Keeping that in mind, he ought to help us, particularly with his feet and the way that he can skate. We have had trouble stepping outside of our comfort zone. We anticipate that he should help us there.

We will screen his minutes and how he is doing in the game. Liljegren’s potential encounters and matchups will be affected by Brodie’s status. Yet, he is a decent player for ourselves and he was playing great when we lost him.

Is Ryan Reaves getting any better?

Keefe: Although we do not have a precise timetable, I would say that it is not as bad as it appeared to be. As a matter of fact, I was conversing with him yesterday and he was riding the bicycle. In that way, it is encouraging.

I think he will wind up going on the IR, yet it’s anything but a drawn out thing.

What has impressed you about Martin Jones’s play when called upon?

Keefe: He is just self-assured. That has come through experience. I don’t think he is shaken by anything that is come his direction.

In Ottawa, he substituted for an injured Joseph Woll, making his professional debut. It didn’t upset him there. In the final moments, he saved us some points. He did a good job for us last night in New York when he was there.

He is certain and that gives the gathering certainty.

Did you think about returning to Ilya Samsonov?

Keefe: We did, indeed. We discussed it and took a gander at how things carried out for us in the following tad. We thought it would be a good opportunity to bring Jones back in.

Particularly revisiting it and taking a gander at it, we didn’t allow Sammy an opportunity to begin well an evening or two ago. He didn’t have a chance on the first two goals. We turned the puck over after taking full control. In front of him, there is no structure. There is no possibility to shield it and help him out.

Now that he is participating in a game, he is under even more pressure than before, making it difficult for him to relax and feel at ease. We are not scoring. One enters through the back wall and away from him. Things are difficult.

He needs to figure out how to make the following recovery, yet the directive for me is that whether it is advances supporting our safeguard or the protection supporting the goalies, each of the five individuals need to help the goalie and improve before him. It provides a chance for success for everyone on the ice.

The same holds true for our breakouts. We can do various things. Forwards can assist in relieving some pressure on our defense and easing the forecheck we face to the benefit of our defense and our breakouts. This is where we really want to improve.

Is it somewhat odd having Kyle Dubas back in the structure as an individual from the resistance given your common history?

Keefe: Yes, it doesn’t seem odd to me. I’ll be truthful. The initial time has occurred to me today.

In Pittsburgh, we discussed this. You don’t mentor against Head supervisors. Video is now our focus. We are getting ready to play against their group. What you are discussing is all of that additional information. It isn’t at the forefront of my thoughts.

The group is driving the gathering in hits as per the association’s details. What are your own numbers telling you?

Keefe: Although, to be honest, I don’t place much faith in that, I do believe that we have added some guys this season who have assisted us in that regard.

It probably more accurately reflects the fact that we haven’t had nearly as much puck possession this year as we have in previous seasons. At the point when you don’t have it so much, you are guarding more, and those numbers will quite often rise.

Some time ago I dove into those numbers somewhat more around the association to perceive how precise or mistaken they were. At the point when you invest any kind of energy seeing what they call a hit and what they don’t, you understand you likely ought not be investing a lot of time checking it out.

How would you characterize Sidney Crosby’s current season at 36?

Keefe: a world-class player who, from all indications, appears to have world-class habits and self-care routines. It permits him to be great for quite a while.

I have talked that a pack here with Tavares arriving at 1,000 places. You discuss life span, dealing with yourself, adjusting, and these sorts of things. It surely is by all accounts the case there.

Assuming you will play at that level for so long,, you can’t do it except if you have those kinds of propensities from the arena and away from the game. It appears to be that he has that.