‘There’s Emotions, For Sure’: Coach Craig Berube Weighs In On Sheldon Keefe’s Return To Toronto As Maple Leafs Prepare For Matchup With Devils

The Leafs have won the previous two meetings against the Devils this season.

The Toronto Maple Leafs, coming off three consecutive losses, will look to regain their form against a familiar face at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday.

The club is preparing to host the New Jersey Devils with all eyes on the return of former Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe. The 44-year-old coach spent nine years with the Maple Leafs organization, leading the NHL club and the Toronto Marlies to success during his tenure.

Following Wednesday’s on-ice practice, Leafs head coach Craig Berube reflected on Keefe’s return and the emotions of revisiting a place he spent plenty of time in. Berube, who has experienced similar moments this year with the St. Louis Blues, offered insight into what Keefe might feel.

“Well, there's emotions, for sure,” said Berube. “Yeah. I think it was similar when we played Jersey in Jersey, you know. There's emotions there, for sure. He was here a long time, did a fabulous job, and got, you know, obviously close to a lot of people and players and organization stuff. So, you know, emotions kind of run up on you a little bit. But, you know, we all sign up for this job, and we all get fired at some time, at one point.”

Keefe, who holds the Maple Leafs’ all-time best points percentage as a head coach with a 212-97-54 (.665) record, spent parts of five seasons leading the Leafs after parts of five successful years coaching their AHL affiliate, the Marlies. Among his achievements, Keefe guided the Marlies to their first Calder Cup victory in 2018 and helped the Leafs secure their first playoff series win since 2004 during the 2022-23 season.

The Brampton, Ontario, native was dismissed by the Maple Leafs after another first-round playoff exit in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs to the Boston Bruins. Despite the disappointment, his coaching resume made him a sought-after candidate. It didn’t take long for Keefe to land on his feet with the Devils, signing a four-year deal in the process.

This season, he has led the Devils to a 26-15-5 record, 57 points, and second place in the Eastern Conference – one point ahead of the Maple Leafs. 

However, head-to-head this season, the Leafs have had Keefe and the Devils’ number, winning both previous matchups, including a 4-2 victory in their second game of the season and a come-from-behind 2-1 overtime win in December.

Keefe expressed excitement about returning to the city where he spent nearly a decade, looking for his first victory against his former team. Speaking to Devils Team Reporter Amanda Stein on Wednesday, he highlighted his connection to Toronto, both professionally and personally.

“I’m excited for it. I spent nine years there, the Leafs time, but the Marlies time too, was equally special to me and I was fortunate to essentially raise my family there, in fact, they’re still living there,” said Keefe.

He even acknowledged the experience of returning to Scotiabank Arena as a visiting coach, saying it will be “a funny walk into the visiting side of things.”

“It's great to get back there. I'll be able to have lots of friends and family in the building, and then also, just to see the faces around the arena…there's a lot of people throughout the organization and in through the building that that you are used to seeing and are such a big part of your career, that the chance to reconnect with them and see them…it's gonna be a funny walk into the visiting side of things. But I fully expect that once the puck drops, it's gonna be, it's gonna be hockey,” he added. 

For the game itself, it’s an opportunity for the Leafs to get back on the right track after a handful of sluggish showings as they wrap up a three-game homestand against their former bench boss.