Toronto Maple Leafs

Sheldon Keefe on Wayne Simmonds: He Talks All the Time & That’s Good

When Wayne Simmonds came to the Maple Leafs he brought more than his hockey skills. What else did he bring to the team?

by
Old Prof
March 13, 2021

During a recent interview, Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe was asked how the new veterans to his team this season – Joe Thornton, Wayne Simmonds, Zach Bogosian, and T.J. Brodie specifically – have helped inspire the team’s success so far this season.

Simmonds Is Special on the Maple Leafs Team

Although he spoke glowingly about all four players, he took special time to single out power forward Wayne Simmonds as someone who has contributed much to the team. That’s not only because he’s proven to be a great player but because he so vocal – on the bench, on the ice, and in the locker room.

Keefe specifically noted that the team has really missed Simmons since he left the lineup with his broken wrist. The team obviously misses his play, but vocally there’s been a different feel around the team just because of the level of personality Simmonds brings.

Keefe noted that Simmonds talks a lot in the room and on the bench. Keefe would have said that the team had a “quiet bench” over his time previously; however, Simmonds has changed that. And, to Keefe, the team’s personality great improved greatly “when Wayne (Simmonds) showed up.”

Keefe noted that Simmonds was someone “who really brings a lot to the ice and onto the bench because he’s so vocal. In addition, he was playing very well, too.” Keefe noted that the team really felt it when Simmonds was injured, and they are very excited to get him back.

Sheldon Keefe on the Team’s Veteran’s Presence

The Great Impact of All the Veterans

The Maple Leafs head coach also discussed how the addition of veterans like Thornton, Simmonds, Bogosian, and Brodie had helped the team become more successful this season.

To coach Keefe, the biggest impact of the veteran presence on the Maple Leafs’ lineup was to improve the general personality of the team. He believes the four veterans – Thornton, Simmonds, Bogosian and Brodie – all brought great experience; and, Keefe believes that – with experience – comes a great deal of confidence.

The confidence Keefe values includes who these players are as individuals. He appreciates that the four players just come in every day and are themselves. That allows everybody else to feel good about themselves and has allowed things to just kind of fall into place. In addition, the four all have great personalities in their own way and bring lots to us off the ice.