Sheldon Keefe lands new job with Leafs' conference rival

Sheldon Keefe has landed a new job as the head coach of the New Jersey Devils.

The report was made by Rear Admiral, co-founder and co-host of The Spittin Chiclets, and was congratulated by many insiders on the scoop as they also confirmed the news. 

Earlier this week, rumours had surfaced that a verbal agreement was in place between the Devils and Keefe, who was fired by the Toronto Maple Leafs following their first round playoff loss to the Boston Bruins. The move came after the Leafs once again failed to advance past the 1st round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, meaning that they have exactly one postseason series victory since 2004.

Per Pierre LeBrun, the Devils are expected to make Keefe’s hire official on Thursday. About his contract with the Maple Leafs, the insider adds:

“Keefe had a two-year extension kicking in with the Leafs next season but the Devils ripped that up and signed him to a fresh four-year deal (hint, got a raise over what the 2-year extension would have paid).”

The Devils fired veteran coach Lindy Ruff earlier this spring, while his interim replacement Travis Green has moved on to become head coach of the Ottawa Senators. Ruff was subsequently hired by the Buffalo Sabres.

In Toronto, Keefe posted a 212-97-40 record as head coach, winning a single playoff series last spring against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

He gets to lead a young team, hungry for success in Jersey.

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