Last Tuesday, the news broke, courtesy of Rear Admiral from the “Spittin’ Chiclets” podcast, that Sheldon Keefe was being named the next New Jersey Devils head coach. This Tuesday, Keefe was officially announced with an introductory press conference at the Prudential Center.
Keefe’s press conference comes at an interesting time because, to put it bluntly, the Devils are expected to be good right away. Even if John Hynes and Lindy Ruff were welcomed with open arms by team management, both were hired at times the Devils weren’t expected to compete. Now, the Devils are expected to compete, even though they’re coming off a disappointing season without the playoffs.
Keefe comes with the belief that he can “right the ship” and bring the Devils back to being the team everyone expected them to be this season instead of the team they actually were. What else did Keefe have to see at his press conference?
Playoffs? Yes, Playoffs!
Toronto famously still cannot slay their dragons in the postseason. However, don’t let that distract you from the fact that Keefe is the only post-2005 Maple Leafs coach to actually win a playoff series. That’s got to count for something, right? Keefe explained that he had “many sleepless nights,” about his future in Toronto after the Maple Leafs’ latest elimination, but now feels at peace that he got his “closure.”
He also mentioned that the same day his firing became official he learned that Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald was interested in him as a coaching candidate.
Be Patient With The Cup Talk
One quote that stood out was while Keefe expected the team to make the playoffs, he followed that up with the expectation that they will “eventually,” compete for the Stanley Cup. That’s a minor departure from the Devils being considered bonafide cup contenders like the betting odds had them entering last season. Maybe Keefe wants to preach patience.
After all, the roster he inherited in Toronto after Mike Babcock’s firing was more built up and had more experience in the playoffs than this current Devils team. Maybe he knows this roster still needs some more areas addressed (like the elephant in the room of goaltending), but more on that in a bit.
Fitzgerald Did His Homework
Even if all answers pointed to Keefe being ownership and Fitzgerald op choice for the job, it was repeatedly mentioned the amount of candidates Fitzgerald interviewed and considered. Greg Wysynski of ESPN tweeted that 8-10 coaches were considered including some who weren’t ready just yet for an NHL job.
Wynsynski followed that up by specifically name dropping David Carle of the University of Denver and former Devil and current Boston university head coach Jay Pandolfo.
David Carle is the current head coach of the United States World Junior Team and reported to be on the short list for the next San Jose Sharks head coach. Some speculated that he could be the next head coach for the Devils or the Los Angeles Kings. Wysnsyksi reported the Devils gave serious consideration to the 35-year-old. The Devils and Kings have obviously filled their coaching vacancies, but the Sharks are still a possibility.
“Old School” Is Just A Will Ferrell Movie
Keefe specifically gave a shoutout to the sports science and analytical tools the Devils have at their disposal. That would be music to any young player’s ears, as well as those of us who have taken a new school approach to the game.
The Devils have seemingly continuously moved away from their old school approaches ever since Josh Harris and Dave Blitzer brought the team. Most of the team’s top players were born post 2000. They were brought up in junior hockey, college hockey and the minor leagues with this type of approach and every NHL team works to get the analytical edge. This is today’s NHL whether you like it or not. Luckily, the Devils are said to have one of the best analytical departments in the league. The future is now, old man!
Teamwork Makes The Dream Work
One major theme we took away from this press conference and Keefe’s approach is “collaboration.” Josh Blitzer started off the press conference by mentioning Keefe’s passion for “teaching hockey.” Keefe has already reached out to almost every player on the roster to see what he can learn from them. It wasn’t specifically mentioned which players Keefe hasn’t spoken to yet, but players away at the world Championship and pending free agent situations likely had something to do with that.
Fitzgerald ended with saying Keefe’s input on roster addition and changes is very important, as well. That’s the closest we got to getting some sort of answer or thoughts on the team’s search for a goaltender.
Keefe did confirm that he would be meeting with members of the current coaching staff shortly and make decisions about that said staff soon thereafter.
Not A Lot Of System Questions
One surprise was that there were not a lot of questions about the style Keefe plans to use and how he plans to use certain players. Keefe did give a rather generic, “you should expect us to play a style that is fast and competitive, that pressures the puck in all zones, and leans in on skill,” answer. Fitzgerald specifically mentioned he knows this team’s strengths and wants to play to them.
One thing that was interesting to hear Keefe mention was about putting his players in “uncomfortable scenarios,” so they know how to react. For all of Toronto’s well-made fun of playoff disappointments, Keefe made it a point to learn a lesson in preparedness. Here’s a quote from TSN about details and being ready:
“Everything matters, every detail matters and that’s why you have to focus on managing each day in front of you so that when those tough moments come you are ready,” Keefe said at his introductory press conference on Tuesday. “After five years and six playoff rounds, I’m a far better coach than when I arrived in the NHL. The vision is to win the Stanley Cup. That’s very clear. However, it’s also very clear to me, in order to do so you have to maximize every day.”