Sheldon Keefe’s real feelings after returning home after shooting the Maple Leafs

The The New Jersey Devils are in the playoffs for the 2024-25 season. The main reason for this is the Devils’ decision to hire Sheldon Keefe as head coach over the summer. The Toronto Maple Leafs fired Keefe after nine seasons with the organization. On Thursday, Keefe returns to Toronto to face the Maple Leafs for the first time as a visitor.

The Devils and Maple Leafs have played twice this season. Toronto won both of those contests by scores of 4-2 and 2-1. Keefe is looking for a first win against his former club on Thursday night. He still has ties to the city as his family still lives in Toronto. As for the game, New Jersey’s bench boss admitted he was excited for the competition.

“I’m excited about it. “I spent nine years there, with the Leafs and the Marlies, it was just as special to me and I was lucky enough to basically raise my family there, in fact, they still live there,” he said, via team officials. website.

“It’s great to be back there. I’ll be able to have a lot of friends and family in the building, and also, just seeing faces around the arena (…) there’s a lot of people across the organization and through the building that you’re used to seeing and being such a big part of your career, that it’s the chance to reconnect with them and see them… it’s going to be a funny side walk of things,” he continued.

Devils’ Sheldon Keefe reflects on Maple Leafs tenure

Sheldon Keefe has had some success with the Maple Leafs. For example, it produced the franchise’s first playoff series win since 2004. The Maple Leafs defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

However, that playoff win is the team’s only playoff series win under Keefe. The team was routinely criticized by the media for its shortcomings in the postseason. Keefe noted Wednesday that his experience in Toronto helped him in certain ways.

“I believe I have a thicker skin as a result. I think I went through a lot there that helped me grow probably faster than usual. And I think I came out the other side of it well and I feel like I was more prepared for this job and I’m kind of ready for whatever comes up,” Keefe said, via Devils officials. team website.

The Devils and Maple Leafs are looking to compete for the Stanley Cup in 2025. Thursday’s game could certainly be a preview for a playoff series in the latter stages of the tournament. It will be emotional for Keefe, but he understands the task at hand.