Hot Take: Sheldon Keefe Will Win the Jack Adams This Year

The Jack Adams Award, given annually to the NHL coach judged to have contributed the most to his team’s success, has often been a platform for honoring innovation, resilience, and leadership. As we approach the new NHL season, Sheldon Keefe, now at the helm of the New Jersey Devils, has the right path to claiming it.

The Devils Are Poised for a Breakthrough Season

The New Jersey Devils have been on the cusp of something special for a few years now. With a young, dynamic roster featuring talents like Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, Dougie Hamilton, Luke Hughes and Dawson Mercer, the Devils are one of the most exciting teams in the NHL. Last season, they showed flashes of brilliance but lacked the consistency needed to make the playoffs.

Enter Sheldon Keefe, a coach who thrives on getting the most out of young, talented rosters. Keefe’s experience with the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he nurtured players like Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander, makes him the ideal candidate to guide the Devils promising core to the next level. Under his leadership, expect the Devils to not only make the playoffs but also become a formidable force in the Eastern Conference.

Keefe’s Tactical Innovation Will Shine

One of Keefe’s defining characteristics as a coach is his willingness to innovate and adapt. During his tenure with the Maple Leafs, he implemented a high-paced, possession-heavy style that, while not without its flaws, often overwhelmed opponents. In New Jersey, he’ll have a roster that’s not only fast and skilled but also hungry to prove themselves.

Keefe’s ability to maximize the potential of his roster through creative line combinations, strategic in game adjustments, and a focus on puck possession will be a game changer for the Devils. Expect him to lean into the Devils strengths of speed and skill, while tightening up their defensive play, an area that has been a weakness in recent years. Keefe’s tactical acumen will likely result in the Devils finishing near the top of the league in key metrics like corsi, expected goals, and wins.

Turning Around the Devils Defense

For all their offensive potential, the Devils achilles heel has been their defense and goaltending. Last season, they ranked 26th overall in goals against per game and struggled with consistency in their defensive pairings due to injuries. Keefe has shown in the past that he’s capable of improving defensive play, even with a roster not necessarily known for its defensive prowess.

With the Devils, Keefe has the opportunity to mold a young defense led by Dougie Hamilton, Luke Hughes, Simon Nemec, and newly signed Brett Pesce. By emphasizing responsible play without the puck and leveraging the team’s speed to transition quickly from defense to offense, Keefe will transform the Devils into a team that’s difficult to play against in all three zones. This defensive turnaround will be a key narrative in his Jack Adams campaign.

Keefe’s Leadership and Experience

Sheldon Keefe’s journey to the NHL has been anything but conventional. From his days coaching in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Soo Greyhounds to his time in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Toronto Marlies, where he won a Calder Cup, Keefe has consistently proven himself as a coach who can lead and develop talent. His ability to connect with players on a personal level, combined with his tactical knowledge, makes him one of the most well rounded coaches in the league.

In New Jersey, Keefe’s leadership will be crucial in guiding a young team through the ups and downs of an NHL season. His experience with the high-pressure environment in Toronto, where every move is scrutinized, has prepared him to handle the challenges that come with coaching a team on the rise like the Devils. Expect Keefe to build a culture of accountability and resilience, key ingredients for a successful season.

The Devils Will Exceed Expectations

To win the Jack Adams, a coach often needs to lead his team to exceed preseason expectations, and that’s precisely what Keefe is poised to do with the Devils. While the Devils are seen as a playoff contender, they aren’t widely considered a top tier team just yet. However, under Keefe’s guidance, they have the potential to not only make the playoffs but also challenge for the Metropolitan Division title.

If Keefe can lead the Devils to a top-three finish in the division, or even secure home ice advantage in the playoffs, it would be a monumental achievement given where the team was last year. Such a turnaround would undoubtedly put Keefe in the spotlight as a leading candidate for the Jack Adams.

A Narrative of Redemption

The storyline of Sheldon Keefe’s redemption of moving from a high-pressure environment in Toronto, where he was often criticized despite strong regular-season performances, to a New Jersey Devils team that is hungry for success will resonate with voters. The Jack Adams Award often goes to a coach who has overcome adversity, and Keefe’s journey fits that narrative perfectly.

Keefe’s ability to learn from his experiences in Toronto, where playoff success eluded him, and apply those lessons in New Jersey will be a compelling narrative that voters won’t be able to ignore. A successful season with the Devils, capped by a deep playoff run, will not only vindicate Keefe’s coaching methods but also position him as a coach who can thrive under pressure and deliver when it matters most.

Final Thoughts

Sheldon Keefe’s move to the New Jersey Devils is a match made in hockey heaven. With a roster brimming with potential, a coach known for his tactical brilliance, and a narrative of redemption, all the ingredients are in place for Keefe to lead the Devils to new heights. If he can unlock the full potential of this young team, expect to see him hoisting the Jack Adams Trophy at the end of the season. The NHL world should prepare for the Sheldon Keefe era in New Jersey because it’s about to get exciting.