This Week in the NHL: Sheldon Keefe returns to Toronto

Credit: Jan 4, 2025; San Jose, California, USA; New Jersey Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe (center) stands behind the bench before the start of the third period against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

With 32 teams and seemingly infinite storylines, it’s hard to keep track of all the weekly goings on during the NHL season. That’s why I’m here to help. Every Monday from October to April, I’ll preview the key events, games, narratives and milestones in play for the week.

So what’s on tap for Jan. 13-19?

Jan. 16: Sheldon Keefe returns to Toronto

New Jersey Devils @ Toronto Maple Leafs, 7:00 p.m. ET

Thursday won’t mark the Devils’ first game vs. Toronto this season – they’ve met twice, with the Leafs winning both times – but the drama will be different when Keefe returns to his former home building for the first time behind the opposing bench. The Leafs are holding down first place in the Atlantic Division under his replacement, Craig Berube, but Keefe’s Devils are massively improved this season in their own right, jumping from outside the playoffs to holding down third in the Metropolitan Division. Keefe is in the Jack Adams Award mix.

Jan. 16: Doug Armstrong’s 1,500^th game as a GM

Calgary Flames @ St. Louis Blues, 8:00 p.m. ET

You have to be a highly respected mastermind of team construction to log 1,500 games as an NHL GM. On Thursday, the Blues’ Armstrong, architect of their lone Stanley Cup victory in 2018-19, will become the 19^th NHL GM to reach 1,500 games, which he’s split between the Blues and Dallas Stars. Armstrong plans to vacate his GM role and pass it to Alexander Steen after the 2025-26 season. By then, Armstrong will be at 1,618 games, which will slot him 15^th all-time. Between now and then, ‘Army’ will pass Bob Pulford, Art Ross, Punch Imlach and Bobby Clarke, just to give you an idea of the company kept.

Jan. 16: Central Division plays host to potential Tank Bowl

Chicago Blackhawks @ Nashville Predators, 8:00 p.m. ET

If you told a Preds fan on July 1 that their team would be contending for the first overall pick by January…yikes. But here we are. Through Sunday’s NHL action, the Hawks sit 32^nd overall in the NHL standings, holding a 25.5 percent shot at the lottery, while Nashville is 30^th, holding the third-best odds at 11.5 percent. Given the lack of separation between the projected top three or four picks in the 2025 Draft Class, it’s a great year to simply finish a stone’s throw from last place. Chicago currently holds a three-point “lead” on the Preds.

The 25^th annual Hockey Day in Canada arrives

Has it really been 25 years of Hockey Day in Canada already? Wow. Canmore, Alta., plays host to the festivities on a day when all seven Canadian NHL franchises compete. The Ottawa Senators host the Boston Bruins at 3:00 p.m. ET; the Leafs visit the Montreal Canadiens at 7:00 p.m. ET; The Winnipeg Jets host the Calgary Flames at 7:00 p.m. ET; and the Edmonton Oilers visit the Vancouver Canucks at 10:00 p.m. ET.