Welcome to another edition of NHL Rumours! The Stanley Cup Playoffs are underway, as it is in the second round. However, the offseason does not stop and teams that are not in the mix are turning towards next season. The coaching carousel is in full swing and today’s NHL Rumours swirl around the New Jersey Devils.
NHL Rumours
New Jersey Devils
Rumour: Pierre Lebrun discusses the Devils showing interest in Sheldon Keefe
Add another coach to the carousel. After spending five years behind the Toronto Maple Leafs bench, Sheldon Keefe has been relieved of his coaching duties. There are numerous coaching jobs available and the Devils are one of them. In the past few weeks, the Devils have spoken with available candidate such as Jay Woodcroft and Craig Berube, but Lebrun believes the Devils will add Keefe to the list.
Keefe did find success with the Maple Leafs, as he helped the team reach the playoffs all five seasons behind the bench. However, the team was never able to exorcise their demons and made it out of the first round once. Keefe was the coach for some high profile talents in Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and Williams Nylander. If he ends up in New Jersey, there is a similar cast of characters.
The Devils have a young core that is locked up for the rest of the decade. Furthermore, they are built to win and compete now and just need the next coach to get them over the hurdle. Is Keefe the right man for the job? Nobody knows. However, it is an option that Tom Fitzgerald can explore.
New Jersey Devils
Rumour: Pierre Lebrun has the Devils interested in Jay Woodcroft
The next set of NHL Rumours remains with the New Jersey Devils. As they narrow down their coaching search, the team has Jay Woodcroft in their crosshairs. Woodcroft was let go by the Edmonton Oilers, but comes with success.
Over the course of his time with the Oilers, Woodcroft has a record of 79-41-13. Also, he was able to help the Oilers reach the conference finals during the 2021-22 season, and the second round during the 2022-23 season. After a tough start to the year he was let go but Woodcroft is a very capable coach.
With Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Timo Meier, and Jesper Bratt at his disposal, Woodcroft is walking into a desirable situation. He did have an interview already, so now it’s all about the waiting game.
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