Sheldon Keefe Lands New Head Coaching Gig

He wasn't out of a job for very long. In fact, within a day or two of Sheldon Keefe's firing by the Toronto Maple Leafs, he was already being pegged as a leading candidate for the New Jersey Devils. Now, that marriage is official.

IT’S OFFICIAL. KEEFE TO THE DEVILS!@RearAdBsBlog insiderrrr! pic.twitter.com/sOa5tWJLeg

— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) May 22, 2024

According to Pierre LeBrun, Keefe’s deal is for 4 years, and the Devils “ripped up” the two-year extension that was about to kick in from Toronto, and gave him a raise over what was owed by the Leafs. 

After leading the Leafs to a .665 points percentage over five seasons with a record of 212-97-40, Keefe has been tabbed to head up a talented Devils team, that should put the head coach right back into the playoff picture, where he'll try to fare better than his 1-5 series mark in Toronto.

He will, however, be handed a much better defense corps than he ever had with the Leafs,  including perennial Norris Trophy candidate Dougie Hamilton.

The 43-year-old Keefe takes the reins from recently departed interim coach Travis Green, who took over after Lindy Ruff was fired late in the season.

Keefe had a similarly successful tenure with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies before taking over the Leafs, compiling a 200-89-22 record over five years, and leading the team to its first Calder Cup championship in 2017-18.

Photo: © John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports