New Coaches in 2024-25: Sheldon Keefe, New Jersey Devils

Can Keefe get the Devils back on track?

The New Jersey Devils were supposed to be a contender in the Metropolitan Division this season. They had just come off a remarkable 2022-23 campaign where they finished with a 52-22-8 record and went to the second round of the playoffs. Stars Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt also had career seasons and looked poised to lead the Devils out of mediocrity and into the elite tier of the NHL.

Unfortunately, that didn’t happen and the Devils floundered in 2023-24, finishing with a 38-39-5 record and a different head coach behind the bench. Lindy Ruff was fired and replaced by assistant coach Travis Green in March, and the Devils missed the playoffs for the fifth time in six years.

Green and Ruff have since moved on to the Ottawa Senators and Buffalo Sabres respectively, and the Devils now have a new sheriff in town. This time, it’s former Toronto Maple Leafs bench boss Sheldon Keefe.

Keefe’s Coaching Career Before Entering the Meadowlands

Keefe comes from a lot of junior and American Hockey League (AHL) success. Before entering the lion’s den that is the Maple Leafs hockey market, he was head coach of the Toronto Marlies in the AHL, where he led them to a 199-89-22-9 record and their first Calder Cup championship in 2018. Before that, he coached the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds to three straight playoff appearances.