Sheldon Keefe lines up interview for head coaching job in NHL!

On Thursday, the Toronto Maple Leafs fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. On Friday, the New Jersey Devils sought and received permission from the Canadian team to speak with Keefe, per insider Pierre LeBrun.

The Devils needed to get the permission from the Maple Leafs seeing that Keefe had two-year contract granted by Toronto late in the summer of 2023. His contract did not include a no-removal clause.

When he was let go by the Maple Leafs yesterday, Keefe shared an emotional video about his time in Toronto.

“Leafs Nation, the time has come to say goodbye,” Keefe said in the video message. “I’m forever grateful for the opportunity to coach the Toronto Maple Leafs. …I didn’t get it done in the playoffs. I didn’t help push our team over the line and deliver, I accept responsibility for that no excuses. That’s the job, I didn’t get it done, it’s the reality of the business and I accept it.”

On Monday during his final press conference as the head coach of the Leafs, Keefe still expressed his confirmed in his ability to run an NHL team.

“I’ve been through a lot as a coach in my career and to get to this level. I’ve won a lot before coming here, and the path always looks different. But you’ll learn along the way. And I’ve learned a lot through my experience, and I know I’m in a good place,” Keefe went on.

“My job is to continue to work, to find solutions and continue to improve as a coach. And then, at the same time, take accountability for the fact that we haven’t met expectations.”

Keefe’s résumé, which includes a 2018 Calder Cup, remains impressive and the Devils did not want to waste any time and have called him in for an interview. There have also been rumoured that former Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas, now playing the same role in Pittsburgh, could look to replace Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan with Keefe. 

Stay tuned.

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