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Toronto Maple Leafs: The 3 Most Likely NHL Awards a Leaf Could Win

By Joseph Zita

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 21: Head coach Sheldon Keefe of the Toronto Maple Leafs looks on from the bench during a game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on November 21, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The game was Keefe's first game as an NHL head coach. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 21: Head coach Sheldon Keefe of the Toronto Maple Leafs looks on from the bench during a game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on November 21, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The game was Keefe's first game as an NHL head coach. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 21: Head coach Sheldon Keefe of the Toronto Maple Leafs   (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images) /

2. Jack Adams Award – Sheldon Keefe

2019-20 record – 36-25-9 (81 PTS)

2019-20 Keefe record – 27-15-5 (59 PTS)

At my number two spot on this list I have Sheldon Keefe winning the Jack Adams Award.

I put this on the list mainly because of what Keefe was able to do to this team once he was hired after the firing of Mike Babcock a month and a half into the 2019-20 NHL season. Keefe turned a 9-10-4 team that was on pace to finish the season with 32 wins and 78 points, into a team that went on a 15-4-1 run as soon as he was hired and ended up with a 27-15-5 record at the time of the season pause due to Covid.

Under Keefe, the Leafs were the 8th best team in the NHL, despite playing almost half their games without Morgan Rielly, and then almost half of those games without Jake Muzzin as well. Factor in the less-than-reliable goaltending and its clear that Keefe made a huge difference.

The Toronto Maple Leafs numbers under Sheldon Keefe are pretty remarkable, and if you ask me, they were a completely different team under him than they were under Babcock. The Leafs were significantly better at defense and special teams under Keefe, and his focus on puck-possession really seemed to pay off, despite some less than ideal results.

The Toronto Maple Leafs never played a full season under Keefe yet still played some pretty good hockey while they were at it.  With a full season, the new additions, another year of growth for their core players, Keefe could very well be a nominee for the Jack Adams Award and may have a chance to win it too if the Toronto Maple Leafs season goes very, well.

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