No. 2: Sheldon Keefe: Jack Adams Award
If I were to bet, I’d say that Keefe has a better chance at getting fired than winning the Jack Adams Trophy, as the league’s best coach, but you never know.
Not to knock Keefe, but he’s in the classic “new GM keeps old coach in case things go sideways” situation. This usually means he’s gone the first time the team loses four games in a row, but who knows?
Over his tenure, Keefe has continued to do a great job, guiding this team to top regular season records, but unfortunately, they’ve yet to get it done in the playoffs.
You can’t put the blame on him for all of the losses, but this could be the last straw for him, especially with a new GM.
The Leafs have a great roster and have the opportunity to be a very successful regular season team once again and compete for a President’s Trophy.
If they are a top-three team in the NHL, Keefe’s name should be considered as league’s best coach.
This award typically goes to a coach of a team who missed the playoffs the year before, but it can also go to the coach of the best team.
This is definitely more of a long-shot, but if Toronto is one of the best regular season team’s again, expect Keefe’s name to be in the running.