New Jersey Devils linked to Sheldon Keefe

Pierre LeBrun reported the Devils would like to speak to Keefe about the team's coaching vacancy.

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The New Jersey Devils are leaving no stone unturned in their search for a new head coach.

They’ve been linked to Craig Berube – who feels Toronto-bound – as well as Jay Woodcroft and Todd McLellan in recent weeks.

Thursday it was reported GM Tom Fitzgerald would also like to speak to Sheldon Keefe about the team’s head coaching vacancy.

Although Keefe is not at the top of my wishlist (Woodcroft holds that spot), I certainly think he is worth talking to.

He enjoyed an awful lot of regular season success during his tenure in Toronto. Things didn’t work out as well in the postseason but he helped the Leafs win their first playoff round since 2004 a year ago.

He also coached in a lot of competitive series that came down to Game 7 coinflips, which the Maple Leafs almost unbelievably always ended up on the wrong end of.

I think Keefe did some of his best work this year in Toronto. The Leafs did not have as much talent – up front or on defense – as in recent years and he still helped them finish 10th in points and 7th in 5v5 goals share.

Keefe’s Leafs also gave the Bruins all they could handle in the playoffs despite missing Auston Matthews for two games, William Nylander for three games, and Mitch Marner for seven (boom, roasted!).