Sheldon Keefe's Toronto exit unexpectedly places him among the NHL's top coaches

Although he never secured a top-three finish for the Jack Adams trophy while with the Leafs, Keefe's move to the Devils has positioned him as a frontrunner for the upcoming NHL Coach of the Year award.

Keefe's five-year stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs was marked by high expectations and intense scrutiny. Despite leading the Leafs to a franchise-record 115 points in the 2021-2022 season, he never finished in the top-three for the Jack Adams trophy. The weight of the franchise's long-standing playoff struggles seemed to overshadow his regular-season successes.

Now, having joined the New Jersey Devils, Keefe is poised to leverage a less pressurized environment to his advantage. Analysts have suggested that the lower-profile setting in New Jersey, compared to the high-pressure atmosphere of Toronto, could be exactly what Keefe needs to shine. His appointment comes at a time when the Devils are looking to rebound from a challenging season and have made several impactful off-season moves.

With Keefe now at the helm of the Devils, there's a buzz of optimism about his potential to lead the team to success. Oddsmakers have placed Keefe as a significant contender for the Jack Adams award, with +700 odds, reflecting the belief that he could achieve great things with the Devils. In contrast, the new Maple Leafs coach, Craig Berube, has odds of +1200, while Travis Green is closely behind at +800.

As the new NHL season approaches, all eyes will be on Keefe to see if he can live up to the high expectations set by his new role. With the Devils' recent strategic moves and Keefe's proven track record, the stage is set for a potentially transformative year in New Jersey.

Source: Maple Leafs Daily
Sheldon Keefe's departure in Toronto suddenly has him among NHL's top coaches

Source:NHL.com
Jack Adams voting history