After being fired by the Maple Leafs, Sheldon Keefe is available for the taking. Where could he end up next? Michael DeRosa shares his picks.
The Toronto Maple Leafs made a big but expected decision on Thursday, relieving Sheldon Keefe of his team head coaching duties. After another first-round exit, this move is understandable. A change behind the bench was overdue for Toronto.
While Keefe was never able to lead the Maple Leafs on a long playoff run, his success in the regular season should still lead to teams calling. But which clubs could enter the mix for the 43-year-old? Let's discuss a few potential landing spots now.
New Jersey Devils
Shortly after the firing, NHL insider Pierre LeBrun said that he believed the New Jersey Devils would be interested in interviewing Keefe. The Devils are hunting for a coach, as former interim coach Travis Green took a gig with the Ottawa Senators.
While the Devils are quickly being connected to Keefe, it is crucial to note that he is not their only option. They have a reported interest in both Craig Berube and Jay Woodcroft, so Keefe certainly has competition for the Devils' gig. However, given how quickly New Jersey has been linked to him, they are a clear team to watch.
Winnipeg Jets
After a long and impressive career, Rick Bowness announced his retirement from coaching earlier this week. The Winnipeg Jets now need to hire a new head coach, and Keefe could make sense for them.
The Jets have the potential to be genuine contenders, so they likely want a big-name coach behind the bench. Because of this, it is not hard to believe that they would be interested in Keefe. He also has experience coaching a Canadian team, which is a nice bonus.
San Jose Sharks
After several years of coaching the NHL team in the toughest market, Keefe may want a break from all the stress of coaching a big club. As a result, coaching a rebuilding team on the rise like the San Jose Sharks could be a match for him.
The Sharks parted ways with David Quinn at the end of the season, and Keefe would be a massive upgrade over him. With that, Keefe could be a great coach for top prospect Macklin Celebrini to get his career started with.
Pittsburgh Penguins
At this juncture, the Pittsburgh Penguins still have Mike Sullivan as their head coach. However, after missing the playoffs in back-to-back seasons, many have wondered if the Penguins could part ways with him. If they do, Keefe would be a clear target for Pittsburgh.
Keefe has a deep history with Penguins president and GM Kyle Dubas. Dubas hired Keefe to be the head coach of the Soo Greyhounds, the Toronto Marlies, and, of course, the Toronto Maple Leafs. Dubas clearly loves the way Keefe coaches, so a reunion would not be surprising.