Sheldon Keefe’s Debut Against Former Team Marks a New Chapter in NHL

The Return of Sheldon Keefe to the NHL Stage

On a crisp October evening in Newark, N.J., Sheldon Keefe, the current coach of New Jersey Devils, experienced a sense of déjà vu. The date was October 10, 2024, and the Devils were ready to kick off their home schedule with a game against none other than Keefe’s previous team, the Toronto Maple Leafs. Despite their spirited performance, the Devils suffered a 4-2 defeat, marking a challenging home opener for Keefe.

Keefe humorously referenced his transition from the Maple Leafs’ blue and white to the Devils’ red colors. He admitted, “It’s my first time coaching against a team I’ve previously worked with. We’re striving to establish our identity on the ice, but tonight’s performance didn’t mirror our recent success in Prague.”

Lessons from the Maple Leafs: Sheldon Keefe’s Journey to the Devils

Keefe’s tenure as coach for the Maple Leafs was undoubtedly impactful, with the team achieving an impressive record of 212-97 during his five seasons. However, despite being one of the top-performing teams in the regular season, the Leafs only managed to surpass the playoff opening round once, in 2023, under his tutelage. His overall playoff record was 16-21.

Keefe’s journey to the NHL was marked by his successful stint as coach for the Toronto Marlies, Toronto’s AHL affiliate, before taking up his first NHL coaching role with the Maple Leafs in 2019. His departure from Toronto came in May, and a few weeks later, he found a new home with the New Jersey Devils.

A New Era for the Devils: Post-Prague Performance

Keefe’s leadership had already shown promising signs in the Devils’ first two games of the season. The team had a strong start, defeating the Sabres in both games of the NHL Global Series in Prague and boasting a combined score of 7-2.

As he settles into his role with the Devils, Keefe remains focused on the present, saying, “I’m concentrated on my current role and not too worried about anything other than competing against some of the league’s best teams.”

This statement proves that even in the face of familiar foes, Keefe’s primary goal is to cement his place in the New Jersey Devils’ history and create a team that stands tall among the NHL elites.