Sheldon Keefe responds to question about his job security.

The Toronto Maple Leafs had perhaps their most devastating loss of 2022-23 National Hockey League regular season so far on Sunday night when a third period collapse led to a comeback win from the Anaheim Ducks. Not only was it an ugly loss for the Leafs themselves, but when adding in the context that the Ducks had only won a single game prior to Sunday night it becomes all the more damning.

It was the fourth consecutive loss for the Leafs this season, one that now brings them to a record of 4-4-2, and as a result of their poor start to the campaign the Leafs now find themselves at the bottom of the Atlantic Division with only the Ottawa Senators trailing behind them. That of course could quickly change though, considering the Senators have played 2 fewer games thus far this season.

Although it is early in the season there are already questions about the long term future of head coach Sheldon Keefe, questions that the head coach had to face for perhaps the first time this season when he was asked about his job security following Sunday Night's loss. Keefe made a controversial decision during the game's third period when he appeared to bench star forward Mitch Marner after a pair of bad turnovers that wound up costing the Leafs on the scoreboard.

Keefe explained his decision to sit his star winger following the game:

“You just gotta know what’s going on in the game,” said Keefe as per The Athletic. “Everybody has to be responsible for their touch of the puck … Both were well-intentioned and everything like that — it’s just, they’re tough plays. We gotta manage those plays better. But we also have to have better support around (the puck) so if things go bad we’re in good spots.”

When asked about whether or not he felt his job was safe, Keefe largely deflected the question.

“I’m just gonna focus on what I can do here,” said Keefe. “I’ve got a job to do with the group. Our group has responded in the past. I thought we were responding well here today.”

It's probably too early to be calling for the head coach to be fired but, if this trend continues, general manager Kyle Dubas and the Leafs could soon feel compelled to make some significant changes.