Sheldon Keefe reportedly has verbal agreement to coach new NHL team

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Graham Montgomery
May 21, 2024 (8:20)

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NHL insider Kevin Weekes revealed today that the New Jersey Devils are close to announcing their next head coach, and it sounds like it might be Sheldon Keefe.

The Devils are one of many teams around the NHL currently looking for a new head coach. Top free agent Craig Berube is already off the board, as the Toronto Maple Leafs hired him just days after firing previous head coach Sheldon Keefe. Now it appears as though Keefe himself may already be moving on to his new team.

Re @NJDevils HC Situation ; I'm told they're working through the deeper part of their process, but they aren't at the finish line 🏁 yet with their decision. #njdevils #HockeyX #HockeyTwitter

Devils reporter Alex Chauvancy has indicated that he believes the Devils are close to signing the former Leafs coach. There have been rumors that the Devils were talking with Keefe for several days now.

I think this is probably going to be Sheldon Keefe, but we'll see in the next day or two #NJDevils

NHL rumors contributor Jim Biringer has also mentioned that the Devils have been talking to Keefe. In fact, he went so far as to say that the team has a verbal agreement in place already, but the paperwork has not been finalized.

Was told there is a verbal agreement in place with Sheldon Keefe again it comes down to it he wants the job. But again nothing official is official but have to expect the announcement next day or two. #njdevils
@FullPressNHL @myNHLTradeRumor

Keefe is a proven coach in the regular season, regularly making the playoffs with ease during his tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, he won just one playoff series as well, regularly going out in the first round. Will that trend continue if he takes over the Devils? Only time will tell. The team should be good enough to make the playoffs next season assuming they are relatively healthy.