Toronto Maple Leafs v New York Islanders — Sheldon Keefe is one of the most eligible former NHL head coaches

3 reasons why Sheldon Keefe should be the next head coach of the New Jersey Devils

Modified May 20, 2024 21:13 GMT

Sheldon Keefe was relieved of his duties as head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs on May 9. As one of the most eligible former NHL head coaches looking for his next assignment, the New Jersey Devils could be a good fit as they are looking for a coach to lead their talented core to the Stanley Cup.

Last season, the Devils had Lindy Ruff as head coach. They fired him in March and brought on Travis Green to finish the season. Unfortunately, after a second-round playoff run in 2023, New Jersey didn't qualify for the playoffs, taking a step back.

Outside of acquiring an elite netminder like Linus Ullmark, the Devils need a new head coach—someone with experience (Keefe) who can help the franchise return to its contender years, like at the turn of the century.

3 reasons why Sheldon Keefe should be the next head coach of the New Jersey Devils

#3. Youth and experience

Keefe has been an NHL coach for five seasons, guiding the Maple Leafs from 2019 to 2024, earning a 212-97-40 record for a .665 win percentage. He began his stint with Toronto at 39 and now is 43.

Sheldon Keefe, former head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs

Considering his replacement, Craig Berube is 58, Ruff is 64, and Green is 53, Keefe brings experience at a fraction of the age most NHL head coaches find new teams to run.

It's been a long time since New Jersey employed a head coach with a championship pedigree. In 2011, John MacLean replaced franchise icon Jacques Lemaire, who won three Stanley Cups in 1995, 2000 and 2003.

Although Keefe hasn't won in the NHL, he is a Calder Trophy winner in the American Hockey League, winning with the Toronto Marlies in 2018.

#2. Keefe's familiarity with the Eastern Conference

In 2015-16, the Marlies hired Keefe to be their bench boss, and he was 200-89-22 with the club, advancing to the third round of the playoffs twice and winning the league championship in 2018.

Like his stint with the Maple Leafs, his teams qualified for the playoffs, a streak now at nine seasons. Dating back to his days in the Ontario Hockey League and the CCHL, his clubs have never missed the postseason, and his time in the CCHL resulted in five straight titles from 2006 to 2011.

He's won at various levels, whether in the minors or the NHL and has amassed extensive knowledge of East Coast hockey. Even though the Devils play in the Atlantic Division, he would be a seamless transition regarding head coaching since he's familiar with the other 15 teams in the Eastern Conference.

#1. The Devils have a core similar to the Maple Leafs

The Maple Leafs have Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner, and John Tavares. Meanwhile, the Devils have Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, Nico Hischier, and Dougie Hamilton.

None of these players have won a Stanley Cup or even skated in the Finals. However, there's no denying that they are some of the premiere players in the NHL today.

He spent five years watching Matthews score over 50 goals a season and could help Hughes surpass 100 points. Although Toronto and New Jersey's rosters are entirely different, they are similar in that the core is young, and their potential has been untapped.

Ultimately, the only thing holding both clubs back is elite goaltending and a head coach with the experience to fit all the pieces together to win that exclusive Stanley Cup ring.