Leafs’ Marner and coach Keefe seeing eye to eye, positives result — Toronto Sun

Sheldon Keefe knows what Mitch Marner is thinking when the Maple Leafs’ star winger makes eye contact on the bench. Read More

Leafs’ Marner and coach Keefe seeing eye to eye, positives result — Toronto Sun

Sheldon Keefe knows what Mitch Marner is thinking when the Maple Leafs’ star winger makes eye contact on the bench.

“He gives you a little look over his shoulder wondering if he’s next or if he’s not, a ‘Why-aren’t-I’ kind of thing,” Keefe, the Leafs coach, said on Friday. “Those are the cues you look for from players, especially your best guys. You’re trying to gauge whether they are tired. Sometimes if they’re tired, they don’t want the next shift and they’re telling you by not giving you the eye contact, that they need a little bit more of a breather.

“When a players give you the eyes he’s telling you ‘I’m ready, so don’t slow this down anymore. Let’s get this going.’”