Devils coach Sheldon Keefe disappointed in lack of success with Maple Leafs

Credit: Apr 24, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe talks to the media following a loss to the Boston Bruins in game three of the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

With the Toronto Maple Leafs heading to New Jersey to face the Devils Thursday night, they will face their former head coach in Sheldon Keefe, now the bench boss of the Devils.

Ahead of Thursday night’s game, ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski sat down with Keefe to discuss his time in Toronto.

“I started in what many would describe as the most difficult and challenging environment in the league – and many coaches in this league have reminded me of that,” Keefe said. “I leave there forever disappointed in myself that I wasn’t able to help push that team over the line. But I know I’m a better coach, and a better person, having gone through it.”

The Devils are 2-0-0 to start the season after defeating the Buffalo Sabres twice in Prague, Czechia as part of the NHL’s Global Series.

The 44-year-old Keefe spent five seasons with the Maple Leafs, compiling a 212-97-40 record in 349 games and posting three 100-point seasons with the club. They won one division title in 2020-21, the North Division created for the COVID-19 pandemic campaign.

His 212 regular-season wins rank fifth all-time in Toronto franchise history.

However, in 31 playoff games, Keefe could only produce a 16-21 record, and the Maple Leafs won just one playoff series under his tenure. He was fired by the club just days after losing in the first round last spring.

Before taking over for Mike Babcock in 2019-20, Keefe was the head coach of the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, where in parts of five seasons, he compiled a 200-89-22 record and won the franchise’s first Calder Cup in 2017-18.

As head coach of the OHL’s Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, Keefe had a 134-55-5 record, making it to the conference finals in his final season.

As a player, Keefe played parts of three NHL seasons, scoring 12 goals and 12 assists for 24 points and 78 penalty minutes in 125 career regular-season games with the Tampa Bay Lightning.