WATCH LIVE: Sheldon Keefe & Tom Fitzgerald press conference

Streamed live at 11:00 a.m. ET
New Devils Head Coach Sheldon Keefe, Managing Partner David Blitzer and President, Hockey Operations/General Manager Tom Fitzgerald meet with the media.

[@bobc733]

Congrats NJ, we will miss Sheldon Keefe in Toronto, he is a very classy humble guy, you will never see him make it all about him, treat him well.

[@arsenalcanada]

No we WON'T. Stop conflating him being a nice guy with the fact he can't coach in the playoffs. Literally 0 people want him anywhere near the leafs.

[@aaf1044]

Most real fans agree… but the majority ran him out of town by putting pressure on upper management

[@AdamHarris-k3f]

I won't miss him. Speak for yourself. The guy can't coach.

[@danmetallica2973]

Sure hes a great person but hes not cut out for a head coaching job

[@Katie-hb8iq]

@@arsenalcanada I think you're blaming the wrong person. Dubas and Shanahan created a culture that would not do well in the playoffs, and this happened before Sheldon even got the job. He had an uphill battle the entire time trying to get this team to become men and play the right way. He will have a much more successful time in New Jersey because it can't be as bad as the silos and ridiculous management in Toronto. There is a reason Cooper, Torts and many, many other GMs and Coaches around the league actually stick up for Sheldon and don't really stick up for many other coaches. The problems in Toronto really weren't his fault. You can blame him for shuffling the lines, or not changing the lines, or whatever you want to blame him for for, but the roster construction in Toronto was so bad, I don't think Maurice or Cooper or anyone else would have done better either. You can't coach players that don't exist on the roster. All the roster problems were of Dubas' and Shanahan's making, and Treliving had to live with them because he had such small time to get to know the situation and make changes. Sheldon would be the first to tell you the cap burned the team. I'm sure he didn't want a mental case for a goalie in Samsonov and many other things - no couch wants to deal with this crap.

[@Takhar7]

Leaf fan here - great hire for the Devils. Keefer is a fantastic coach. He was fired for historical results - imo, this was his best year as a Leafs coach considering everything he had to deal with this season. He's improved year after year, and will be so much better off for his experience in Toronto. He's shown an ability to adapt, grow, and evolve - he'll be a great fit an exciting Devils team. Best of luck Sheldon.

[@arsenalcanada]

fantastic coach? were you watching the playoffs at all outreached every year even when we beat Tampa it was a fluke.

[@ach2337]

@@arsenalcanada what do you do for a living? Maybe the Devils should’ve hired you instead

[@pantsumonster]

First round exit

[@arsenalcanada]

@@pantsumonster they won’t even make playoffs , no 50+ goal scorer to bandaid his incompetence

[@Takhar7]

@@arsenalcanada Yes. He's a fantastic coach. He had a bunch of diva stars in Toronto who couldn't inspire a baby to candy, a blueline made of duct tape, horrible goaltending, and no depth, for basically every year he was coach, and still got them into the playoffs and had them play competitive in every series they were in. You're also an Arsenal fan - not really qualified to comment on anything

[@rapshabs]

Congrats Sheldon... going to do great things in NJ! Love from Toronto

[@bsc1463]

Congrats Sheldon , I wanted a cup in Toronto with YOU as coach but like you say its harder than you think to win a cup . Your a class act . Cheering from Ontario for you , your family and your new team !

[@SongwriterIncognito]

I was sorry to see Sheldon go but congratulations to him and this team; I expect the collaboration will be fruitful. The press conference was a class act and it's to the credit of this organization. I've always felt that New Jersey has a super-passionate fanbase. Respect for you guys / all the best from Toronto.

[@summerfling5415]

Congrats Sheldon you will do great things in NJ, I'm a leaf fan, i will now be watching all NJ games as well, looking forward to seeing you guys play us in TO

[@cherylb8298]

Love Sheldon, he is a great coach and a great person. New Jersey is fortunate to have him. Wish you and your family the best .

[@arsenalcanada]

Great guy, terrible coach.

[@FoodFollow]

Leafs fan here. Keefe is a great coach. I'm excited and happy for him. I was at the game when we won the Calder cup with him as coach with the Toronto Marlies. I have a new 2nd favourite team now. Congrats and good luck!

[@dvscool]

Same, I'll be cheering for them. I really like Keefe. Sad to see him go, but it was just time.

[@GoBudsGo]

Congrats Sheldon and to the NJD org, you have a spectacular coach. Looking forward to next season seeing you welcomed back in TO games! GO DEVILS! GO LEAFS!

[@dannyfcporto19]

Congrats Sheldon on your new venture in New Jersey 🎉🎉 💙🤍🍁

[@guy_gaetanodebenedetti8384]

What an emotional roller coaster ride for Sheldon .. One moment one franchise thinks your a failure and next week your welcomed with an applause to be their savior .

[@ephmans]

Leaf diehard here, and been following Keefe from the Soo to Leafs. You got yourself a class act. Players love playing for him. He'll frustrate you with some of his stubbornness on not mixing things up a bit, and when he does it doesn't last long enough I feel to really sort it out. He'll represent the team well, but sometimes be light on accountability with his great players. He straddles the fine line between analytics, and the eye test. He can coach anyone... he had like 1,000,000 players go through his fingers with the Leafs. Fun fact... second job coaches win cups.

[@arsenalcanada]

Class act yes, he Can't coach though so who cares if he is a class act.

[@dvscool]

@@arsenalcanada You live a sad feeble existence, in a world that couldn't give a fuck if you breath. That must suck. Go find a life.

[@ephmans]

@@arsenalcanada what makes you think he can't coach? won a memorial cup, amazing season record for the Leafs... sure he can't bring it home in the playoffs with the Leafs. doesn't mean he can't coach. i'll take him over you any day, and i'm sure you would too.

[@JJ-fx8ld]

Congratulations Sheldon and the team! ❤ He is an awesome coach 👍👍

[@ARusso22TV]

In the beginning I was like ehhh about keefe, but now thinking about he’s deff the best option for our young squad to grow, develop and compete for playoffs

[@ejdebenham3779]

Hey from a leaf fan here and someone who has been involved in hockey my entire life let me tell you Keefe will be great in Jersey and will turn this team in the right direction fast! He's a great coach and not his fault he had a team with all expectations and so many holes and flaws!

[@ARusso22TV]

@@ejdebenham3779 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@ARusso22TV]

@@dvscool yeah I am bro relax

[@arsenalcanada]

You were right with your initial thoughts of 'ehhh'. He is USELESS. Go and look at his record in the playoffs with a team that had the Rocket winner on it.

[@missstar219]

@@arsenalcanadathis team is just dying to get into the playoffs we aren’t expecting a cup right away

[@Ferg13]

Good luck Coach Keefe. Well earned. I knew you would be right back In There. Gonna miss ya on TO coach. Maybe our teams will run into each other in the playoffs. :). God Bless Sheldon Keefe and The FamJam.

[@alainbelisle4543]

Congratulations to Sheldon Keefe, you are a class act !

[@ManuelOrellana]

Good for Sheldon. I didn't like him as a coach for Toronto but I'm happy that he landed on his feet and that he got a new opportunity so quickly. Wish him all the best. - From Toronto

[@majc69]

Lifelong leafs fan. Fan of what Keefe brings to a young team. He didn't get enough credit for doing a really good job. He was a causalty of the situation and didn't leave because of his shortcomings. His resume is stacked with success. Team record seasons, top 5 offense, top 5 power play, solid defence, one of the highest winning/points% all time. Coached players to 1st team Allstar seasons including MVP, rocket Richard seasons and for players that also reduced Selke votes. Hughes, Meier and Hischer, Hamilton etc will flourish. Wishing him the best of luck.

[@boballen3055]

Good Stuff👍🏻 NJ got the best coach that’s available Good Luck to Keefe and NJ 😎🇨🇦

[@DharmYogi]

As a leaf fan I would say most leaf fans realized he is a nice guy when he made his good bye video. He likely learned from his Toronto experience and his flaws were he stayed his top players and never mix up things in the playoffs or regular season. Only when there were injuries he was forced to shuffle things but he didn’t hold players accountable. Hopefully he learned. Toronto was a place where he was watched heavily and people above him also had control on his decisions. Here he will have more freedom for sure.

[@jc6380]

Leaf fan from Toronto here. Sheldon is a good dude and a good coach. Coaching pro sports is a BRUTAL results oriented business. Look at the Leafs new coach, wins the Stanley Cup a few years ago and then gets fired. Sheldon will do well with a Jersey team that is up and coming. They just need a goalie (like the Leafs). I hope Keefe does well - he will have learned alot coaching in the white hot heat of running the leafs on the ice.

[@MichaelPeters-q7f]

Leaf fan here. Keefe was not the problem. The problem remains senior leadership and players. Classic hockey move. Grapes said it best, the coach is the first to go. Good luck Keefer. You got this buddy!

[@roamer77]

Leaf fan here....congrats to Sheldon, and congrats to the Devils fans. It didn't work out in Toronto, but you're getting a great coach, and i think he's gonna do special things with your team!

[@kniesDat]

Good luck chief Keefe! 🙏

[@ME-nv4iu]

i've never heard Keefe use words accountability so much. action matches accountability was interesting. i think that speaks volumes.

[@CanadianLoveKnot]

He could have taken a 2 year paid vacation, but chose to keep coaching. Top notch.

[@fomanush]

Congrats NJ. I'll miss Sheldon at the Maple Leafs. He is an amazing coach and I have always loved to hear her perspectives and opinions after games.

[@TONY_87.]

Good luck Sheldon!

[@VooDoo-b7h]

Sheldon will be coach of the year with dougie back and everyone improving. Goalie was the problem before so solve it

[@realmusicnj]

Except they were the same goalies (and head coach) that the team had the season prior when they had 100+ points. That wasn't the problem.

[@jordanengstrom2269]

Keefe will propel these Devils to Stanley Cup status. Let's goooo 🔥

[@jimmykummelisdeadexposed7671]

He had one of the most talented rosters and Toronto and couldn’t motivate a fly…great regular season coach, horrific playoff coach. Got out coached in every playoff series he coached for the leafs

[@dvscool]

​@@jimmykummelisdeadexposed7671 hE gOt oUt cOaChEd bahaha. The cliche line trolls use when they have nothing meaningful to add.

[@jimmykummelisdeadexposed7671]

@@dvscool he did. He always got caught with bad line changes, never capitalized on opportunities, and his motivational speech from game 7 was so abysmal. Good luck, you’ll hit over 100 points in the regular season, then go nowhere in the playoffs when it matters

[@paulatherton6851]

Leafs fan here you got a great person good luck NJ but not when playing my Leafs haha

[@Dtaras420]

Thank you Keefe and don't kick the Leafs butts to hard next season lol

[@Human_Evolution-]

Now get a few top vet Dmen who do not turn the puck over much. NJ turned the puck over way too much last season, which lead to a lot of goals. Find a way to score first since that was a huge problem last year. Defense was a big problem last year! Also, the mental part of the game was an issue, you could see it on their faces, anguish rather than making the best of the situation and remaining stoic. That distress must be tiring.

[@judistzoinkiski3395]

You sir are clueless. nemec is ready. SO who you taking out of the lineup for 2 vet? cuz your not moving bahl. You really want bastain playing 4th line? instead of getting two big body? all you did was yap. Name to vet dmen? ill start Brenden Dillon,Mcnabb(not waiving to come here) hague(not moving) and zadorov turned down 4-5x5 so plz name me dmen you want that will be wasting cap space. Love how you ignore how small and soft the devisl are but you went straight for the D and neveronce mention they need to get bigger LOL

[@Human_Evolution-]

@@judistzoinkiski3395 3 blue and 6 yellows.

[@DeathWish1974]

Sheldon was not the Leafs problem

[@Kylepelly]

Sure, but Sheldon has made he postseason 7 years with the leafs and only has won 1 round ik players take accountability but that’s still very bad

[@dvscool]

He was not. Agreed .

[@DeViLzzz2006]

He was a problem. He was a pushover. He wouldn't bench players when needed and so on. Sorry but letting your players run all over you doesn't make for a good coach.

[@arsenalcanada]

Die hard leafs fan who has watched 90% of leafs games since 2003 here. He seems like a really nice guy. Unfortunately he gets outcoached every playoffs. Lots of leafs fans here trying to make you feel good about it but honestly he is brutal. The 1 series in like 5 years with him that we won against Tampa we were actually badly outplayed all series and by luck got through. Good luck to him and to you Devils fans but I wouldn't be excited if he was joining my team....

[@DutchmasterPro1]

Noone cares what you think. And why do you care so much? He's not your coach anymore, be happy. Why troll a devils press conference welcoming him? You have like 8 replies on here trashing the guy. Grow up.

[@arsenalcanada]

@@DutchmasterPro1 I am happy he isn’t. I don’t care what you think either. Go sniff glue or something cya

[@Katie-hb8iq]

Was he outcouched, or did he just not have the roster? The Leafs roster has never, ever had all 19 pieces in place. Never. A coach cannot teach players that do not exist or materialize those pieces out of thin air if the GM does not acquire them. The culture of the Leafs was also set by Dubas and Shanahan before Sheldon even got there as well. It is very doubtful that Maurice or Cooper could have won with any of the Leaf rosters either. You can't win with a mental case for a goalie in Samsonov and 5 defensemen who would barely qualify as a 3rd pairings on any other contending team. Even Florida had similar problems with Huberdeau and Weeger - they played a lot like Marner. No coach was ever going to fix that. They had to ditch them, just as the Leafs will have to cut loose their unfixable players too. That wasn't Sheldon's fault. That's on Dubas and Shanahan. I find a lot of salty Leaf fans irrationally blaming the coach in the comments when the problem was clearly with the management and the silos in Leafs' management. Blame Dubas and Shanahan. They ruined the Leafs, not Sheldon.

[@Maranatha12090]

If the roles were reversed and Keefe was coming to Toronto right now. He'd get us to a cup

[@DharmYogi]

Wow the guy on the left seems more happy then Sheldon …

[@dr.curious5136]

Good Luck Keefer….. Here is a tip for the next time, after a go ahead goal in a game 7 …Don’t put out your fourth line and give it up a goal 22 seconds later. Glad your fired, now go ruin another high talent teams confidence

[@angrydalailama6089]

He got noticeably tougher on Toronto's prima donnas this season - and if he's learned to do that from the jump, NJ will have one hell of a team. Good luck to him and to the Devils (with exception to the games v. TML of course)!

[@democrasywins]

best team builder in the league were gonna miss him

[@jerrysmithers1429]

Congrats Sheldon you deserve all the positive coming your way LEAFS MADE A BBAD CHOICE

[@ProspectFilmRoom]

I like how Blitzer has to look at his phone to recall his memories of Keefe and a recent conversation with Fitzgerald lol.

[@shannancampbell7920]

Atta boy Sheldon gunna really miss you in TO But you deserve everything thats coming your way...Great Coach Great Person...Thank you and good luck...GO LEAFS GO......Lol

[@Fluffythedog4ever]

Tor vs NJ first round next year 😄

[@cazschiller]

Starts at 2:25 *Or 5:25 after photos

[@cazschiller]

Or really 5:25 after photos

[@bted]

Great. Now we need to add veteran shut-down defenseman. Or two. A number one goalie. And, if possible, Brady Tkachuk. Or a centerman with some size. Scoring should not be a problem.

[@RL_Sin]

Jani Hakanpää💯 -HITS☑️ -BLOCKS☑️ -SHUT DOWN RD☑️

[@pty8s]

From the appearance of Mr Keefes time here in Toronto, the players bonded with him. We’re where little appreciation hits the press. More idiotic non playing mouthpieces gain attention. Hard to believe any other coach could’ve or could be more connected to his team. Good luck, none is needed.

[@VincentCamilleri-uq1lj]

New Jersey devils have great Coach right now he tried with the leafs but players never listed maybe this is his turn around get devils back in the playoffs cheers leaf fan here and devils fan

[@wisediscernment2403]

Welcome to the chillest media in the nhl! Lol from worst to best

[@phils6733]

Funny to hear the opening statement of coaching our young core! Sounds familiar, keefe is a good coach the leafs problem was always shanahan. I say was because it doesn’t seem he has any power now. Good luck to keefes NJ team

[@RL_Sin]

Welcome Keefe! Hey, Fitzy go sign: •Jani Hakanpää •Brossiot or Stolarz •S.Noesen or Dakota Joshua •Henrique or Duchene

[@kawboy14]

David Puddy is very happy. "Ya, that's right."

[@alexz1158]

Leafs legend !

[@5PEACEPOET]

ummm

[@pratibhaverma9176]

No he isn’t

[@wbj2000]

Some leaf fans have ultra low standards. Winning a single round in seven years is not legendary.

[@pratibhaverma9176]

@@wbj2000 exact my thoughts. Tampa Bay won 2 years in a row 2021 and 2020. Pittsburgh two years in a row 2016 and 2017

[@scarbourgeoisie]

You can have him NJ. His overall record was due to the talent he was given, not the due to his coaching skills. He basically shortened the bench every game burning out the talent on the squad. He’s no Pat Quinn or Pat Burns.

[@Conada1002]

Guaranteed he goes further than that tissue paper leaf core in years to come. He’s a great coach. I expect good things out of jersey moving forward. Wonderful hire.

[@user-dq7cr3cz8z]

He was not the problem in TO it was a combination of stagnation. The the first to go is the problem (Dubas)

[@danmarsh2355]

Coaching the Leafs will make a teenager turn grey

[@josephmcauley7605]

Can Dougie not get hurt

[@aaf1044]

I’m a leaf fan like most of these comments congratulating and wishing Sheldon the best…. But my question is where were all these comments before they let him go? 🤷‍♂️

[@XXBearXJewXx]

great coach, got the short end of the stick in toronto.

[@riprogerssmokeyjohnson5912]

Matty Loughlin trying to run for governor with that hype up of the state of NJ at the end 😂of the

[@neilchamberlain2731]

I don't think any coach will have any long term success in Toronto. They will have shake up there roster.

[@chrisragona3945]

More learning experiences lol.

[@vetonismailovski7033]

3 people sure clap loud

[@sharpliketac526]

He will keep the plavers accountable and then roll it back . Leafs didnt beat the lesser lights of the league since he became coach. imagine the playoffs positiion with that.

[@wbj2000]

People who clap into a microphone are annoying.

[@billthomson6605]

Congratulations Sheldon

[@DeViLzzz2006]

No confidence this coach has what is needed to put players in their place when needed and thus I would not have hired him.

[@HandShakeLineRespect]

Good luck Keefe! You made a smart decision staying away from Dubas.

[@bdgannon1473]

Devils hire Punk Coach / will now become perennial one-round-and-done Champs ! LMAO 🤣

[@russianFB7442]

Plz get brady on the team

[@lukewoodworth2101]

Yeah, one series win in 5 years. Could be blamed more on the players though

[@evangilmore4394]

Toronto and NJ are two different entities and are not related and that doesn’t mean it will transfer here. The Toronto maple leafs had not made it past a round since 2004 so it is not Keefe’s doing. I personally believe it is the toxic media that gets in there heads and distracts them along with other things. However, look who was the coach to push the team past that glass ceiling (keefe). Additionally the devils have not proven themselves to even be consistent playoff team so let’s get to that point before we start complaining and worry about not making it past a round.

[@snfriedm]

More series wins than the previous few leafs coaches before him

[@ejdebenham3779]

For sure and I feel like he coached the Leafs to multiple game sevens and even game seven OTs. Not really his fault that out of all the star power available no one was a game breaker in playoffs when it mattered most. He would play the best or most talented highest paid players and in the winner take all games and over-times none of those superstars ever stepped up...except JT.....one time lol. I think he could get jersey back into the playoffs next year!

[@DeViLzzz2006]

I have as much confidence in this coach as I do the GM. The GM needs to be fired. What he got for T.T. at the deadline was pathetic. What he did in not getting the Devils a goalie sooner to try and make the playoffs was just as bad. Now he goes and gets a coach who has no backbone? LOL! Unbelievable.

[@PennyHardaway24]

he didnt hold anyone accountable. tf is fitzy saying lol

[@18laxX]

I want a fucking cup

[@weenieh23]

This guy truly sucks. Out coached every playoff series. Goodluck.

[@dymd3z]

Decent coach, just couldn’t be tough enough with our primma donnas. Also got out-coached in every playoff. Maybe he can do it in NJ…

[@dvscool]

Lol

[@Katie-hb8iq]

If you're going to claim Sheldon Keefe was outcoached, you first have to demonstrate that the roster had 19 players that could have won with a different coach. You - and so many others - haven't even remotely demonstrated that. Your problem is with the roster, not the coach. A coach can't coach pieces of the Stanley Cup puzzle that don't exist, or make players that don't fit the puzzle play like another player that would. The difference between Sheldon Keefe and John Cooper/Paul Maurice is the players. They had the pieces. John Cooper, with 2024's Tampa team, after losing all of those depth pieces and defensemen due to cap issues, looks about as good as Sheldon Keefe now doesn't he? He couldn't work miracles either. Or how about Darryl Sutter who won the cups with Kings and look what he did in Calgary? You know I'm right. The coach has some small influence on the team for sure, but the roster is king.

[@Beatrice.luciano]

😂🤣

[@robb412]

Don't get your hopes too high. Sheldon is not a great motivator.

[@DeViLzzz2006]

He also is not a good disciplinarian. He does not care about accountability in the dressing room. He is not the ideal coach at all.

[@bobbyjones6356]

Bad Coach , Just watch NJ lol

[@dvscool]

You haven't a clue. Troll harder.

[@rjj4304]

Welcome to Keefe land devils fans...where your coach is outcoached on a nightly basis and players who belong in the ahl get by failing for years.....terrible coach

[@stankodamanko7649]

Big mistake by leafs......great for devils

[@CupContender]

Thank god hes gone😂😂😂

[@dylanmalhotra2619]

lol only leaf fans on here

[@georgegiurukis9172]

In Toronto had way much skill players than the devils and my jersey expecting to win the cup soon ? Good luck on that . But who knows my things change in new jersey.

[@dog_house875]

What a kick in the nuts going from having a great team to an very weak playing team. Although I wish you best of luck it is what it is. Go Devils Go!

[@Trumpsterfire101]

DOWN GOES JERSEY!!! DOWN GOES JERSEY!!!!! Too funny. I mean he’s been such a winner so far! Hahahahahahahahhaaaaaaaaaa