Sheldon Keefe Makes Feelings About Maple Leafs Clear After Last Season's Firing

The New Jersey Devils will play their first North American game of the 2024-25 NHL season on Thursday when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs at Prudential Center. A home opener is always a big night, however, this clash is bigger for Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe more than anyone else.

After all, it's Keefe's first time facing the Maple Leafs since being fired by the franchise following April's first-round postseason exit. The 44-year-old led Toronto to a 212-97-40 record across five seasons but a 16-21 record in the playoffs led to his being replaced by Craig Berube .

No one would blame Keefe if he still resented the Maple Leafs. That's not the type of person the veteran head coach is, though, proven by his comments ahead of New Jersey's home opener.

"I got nothing but love and respect to the people on the (Maple Leafs)," Keefe told TSN's Mark Masters on Thursday morning . "I love the moves that (Brad Treliving) made in the offseason. The team is as good as it’s ever been and I wish them nothing but the best."

Keefe's compliments toward his former employer aren't all that surprising.

After being fired five months ago, Keefe took to social media to share a heartfelt goodbye video with Maple Leafs fans . He talked about how much he appreciates the players and fanbases, and that the city deserves a Stanley Cup.

Even though Keefe has nothing but nice things to say about the Maple Leafs, he likely wouldn't mind sticking it to his former franchise with a win tonight.

According to The Hockey News' David Alter , Keefe is also "looking forward to getting a taste of it from this side" regarding the latest Maple Leafs vs. Devils clash. Toronto won seven of its last 10 matchups against New Jersey under Keefe's guidance since the start of the 2019-20 season, which included a 4-0 record at Prudential Center.

One thing that Keefe has going is that his club has more momentum than the visitors ahead of Thursday's home opener.

The Devils opened up the new season with back-to-back wins over the Buffalo Sabres in Czechia, whereas the Maple Leafs are coming off Wednesday's 1-0 loss to the Montreal Canadiens.

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