Keefe, Granato each fined $25K for 'unprofessional conduct' toward refs
Buffalo Sabres head coach Don Granato and Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe were both fined $25,000 on Thursday for unprofessional conduct directed at officials, the NHL announced.
Keefe was ejected late in the third period of a 6-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday.
Sheldon Keefe has been handed a game misconduct. pic.twitter.com/4Hj7xuO9Ln
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) February 28, 2024
The bench boss had shown frustration with referees Garrett Rank and Peter MacDougall for calling a questionable tripping penalty on Mitch Marner two minutes prior, and the referees had warned him to stop, reports The Athletic's Jonas Siegel and Chris Johnston.
Keefe has been fined twice in the last two seasons. The NHL docked him $25,000 in December 2022 for "demeaning conduct directed at the officials" during an overtime win over the St. Louis Blues.
Granato forced officials to call a bench minor on the Sabres in the third period of their 3-2 loss to the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night. He was upset about a tripping call on Buffalo rookie Zach Benson.
Benson goes for tripping and Don Granato takes a bench minor #LetsGoBuffalo #TimeToHunt pic.twitter.com/QA3UiLaZlL
— Buffalo Hockey Moments (@SabresPlays) February 28, 2024
The NHL has been trying to minimize coaching outbursts this season. The league gave its bench bosses a presentation on the subject in September.