Keefe: Backtracking on criticism 'a reflection of coaching the Leafs'

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe is once again explaining his comments to the media.

Keefe already backtracked on his initial comments criticizing the performance of the team's stars in Monday's 4-2 loss to the rebuilding Arizona Coyotes. On Thursday, he expanded on his reasons for doing so.

"It's probably more of a reflection of coaching the Toronto Maple Leafs and dealing with you all more than anything," Keefe told reporters, according to Sports Illustrated's David Alter. "Just to make sure that the way I'm communicating is more clear. Because the reaction to the comments was not what I was trying to communicate. It's more about managing the media more so than it is about the players."

Following Monday's loss, Keefe said, "Our elite players didn't play like elite players." On Wednesday, he stated that he'd used the "wrong words" to call out the Leafs' stars. Keefe was criticized in the media for softening his initial comments.

Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and William Nylander combined for two goals and an assist Monday as the Coyotes notably held Matthews off the scoresheet. The reigning Hart Trophy winner is off to an uncharacteristically slow start to the campaign with a goal and an assist in four games.

The Maple Leafs will look to move past this situation with a home date against the Dallas Stars on Thursday.