The New Jersey Devils have reportedly hired Sheldon Keefe to be their next head coach. Keefe previously spent five seasons as head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs before being fired on May 9 following a first-round playoff exit against the Boston Bruins in Game 7. During his time with the Leafs, Keefe led the team to the playoffs every season but was unable to advance past the opening round in four out of five years, winning just one out of six playoff series.
Before joining the NHL, Keefe served as head coach of the Toronto Marlies, the AHL affiliate of the Maple Leafs. He achieved a 200-89-31 record over five seasons with four playoff appearances and a Calder Cup title in 2018. In his playing career, Keefe was drafted 47th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 1999 NHL Draft, but his career was cut short after five seasons due to injury, leading him to pursue coaching.
Keefe replaces Lindy Ruff, who was fired in March. Travis Green served as interim head coach for the remainder of the 2023-24 NHL season before accepting a head coaching position with the Ottawa Senators in May. Keefe will now lead the Devils as they look to make a return to playoff success under his guidance.