The New Jersey Devils had a major regression during the 2023-24 season. One of the most exciting teams in the league the year prior, the NJ Devils failed to make the playoffs after being labeled as contenders during the offseason.
Gone is head coach Lindy Ruff, in is former Toronto Maple Leafs bench boss Sheldon Keef. It was the talk of NJ Devils news sites at the end of May. The sites that offer sportsbook bonuses provide insights into NJ Devils’ odds and standings.
What can Keefe bring to the NJ Devils? Will he help the NJ Devils score like they did two years ago? Can he help navigate the NJ Devils schedule and get them back into the playoffs? Here’s what to expect.
Getting More Out of the Young Core. This big NJ Devils’ news here is that Keefe has experience working with talented, dynamic young players. He has helped elevate the games of Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews, and William Nylander in Toronto.
Now, he’ll get the chance to work with Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, and the brother tandem of Jack and Luke Hughes. The Devils may also bring up touted young defenseman Simon Nemec, giving Keefe another talented young player to work with.
Jack Hughes, in particular, will become a focal point. He emerged as a superstar two years ago, setting a franchise record with 99 points. It felt like he was just scratching the surface of his potential. Injuries and inconsistencies brought him back to earth, though he still had a solid 74 points in 62 games.
Hischier, meanwhile, continues to be one of the best two-way players in the game. He plays elite defense while scoring at a nearly point-per-game clip. Working with Keefe could get him back to the 30-goal, 80-point level he experienced in 2022-23.
Taking the Next Step in the Playoffs. The one area in which Keefe may not inspire the most confidence is when it comes to playoff performance. Though the NJ Devils schedule will garner far less attention, Keefe’s tenure in Toronto was mired with playoff failures.
The NJ Devils score with the best of them when they are on, similar to Keefe’s former team. That said, the core in Toronto seemed to disappear when they were needed most. It felt like by the end, major changes were needed because it simply wasn’t working.
The major benefit for both Keefe and the Devils here is that they won’t get nearly the same scrutiny. In Toronto, every move was under a microscope at all times. One small transgression and the talking heads were calling for Keefe’s job.
In New Jersey, he will have attention because of the level of talent involved, but nowhere near like things were in Toronto. Being able to work with such a talented young group, Sheldon Keefe could make them one of the most exciting groups in the league again. And if they can get a strong year from newly-acquired Jacob Markstrom, it could be the year that everything comes together in New Jersey.