I can understand it. It is hard for a team to enter the season with a lame-duck coach. So, Treliving's choice as a GM is to either extend Keefe, or fire him.
The Leafs have tonnes of money and a coach's salary doesn't go on the cap. Unless Treliving knows for sure that a coaching change is needed, then it is simply easier to extend Keefe for 2 more seasons, and if things don't work out, then you fire him mid-season or at the end of the season and get your 'guy'.
I also don't think that Treliving has any more 'his guys' left. What coaches has he had experience with that he trusts? What coach from the past has made him look like a genius? I don't think he has anyone to draw from, except maybe giving Love a chance, or going with Cail MacLean.
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