Devils News

Devils Head Coach Spearheads 2024-25 Jack Adams Candidates

Recently hired as the 31st head coach in New Jersey Devils franchise history, Sheldon Keefe is the leading candidate to win the Jack Adams Award in 2024-24, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

Published

5 months ago

July 12, 2024

James Nichols

New Jersey Devils managing partner David Blitzer, left, and general manager Tom Fitzgerald, right, introduce Sheldon Keefe as the new head coach of the Devils NHL hockey team during press conference, Tuesday, May 28, 2024, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

Part of the hype surrounding the New Jersey Devils’ anticipated comeback in 2024-25 is Sheldon Keefe being named the 31st head coach in franchise history. It’s true that the Devils went through quite the makeover this summer and are coming back next season significantly stronger. However, a better roster doesn’t necessarily translate to success, as the head coach plays arguably the most important part in making or breaking a team. Entering next season, Keefe sits atop the mountain of the top head coaches.

Devils superstar forward Jack Hughes isn’t the only Devil receiving love in the 2024-25 outlook. According to the NHL betting odds, Keefe is not only among the favorites to win the Jack Adams Award by the end of the 2024-25 season, he’s the favorite out of all 32 head coaches to win the award at +700.

Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet won the award for 2023-24.

Ironically, Keefe is tailed in the betting odds by a couple of former Devils associate coaches, Travis Green (second, +800) and Andrew Brunette (third, +900). Former Devils head coach Lindy Ruff holds the 11th best odds (tied with 10 others at +3,000) as the new head coach of the Buffalo Sabres.

There’s certainly reason to believe Keefe can come out of the 2024-25 season as the head coach who exhibits Jack Adams qualities, “adjudged to have contributed the most to his team’s success.” In each of his five seasons as a head coach in the NHL — all with the Toronto Maple Leafs — Keefe has coached his teams to no lower than a .622 points percentage (PTS%). His best season behind the bench was in 2021-22, leading the Leafs to a 54-21-7 record, collecting 115 points for a .701 PTS%.

Say what you will about his success in the postseason, but the Jack Adams Award is handed out based on regular season success, not in the playoffs.

Devils fans will certainly be cautiously optimistic with all the love the Devils have received this offseason compared to last summer. It’s fair, however, there is certainly plenty of justified optimism surrounding the New Jersey Devils.

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