Yahoo Sports Devils' Sheldon Keefe Proving Why He Was Fitzgerald's Top Coaching Choice
New Jersey Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe has made the most of his first three days of training camp.
The 44-year-old bench boss understands he has limited time to prepare his team before leaving for Prague, Czechia, to participate in the 2024 NHL Global Series and has not wasted a second.
Over the past several days, it has become clear that Keefe has a vision of how he wants his players to perform.
"We expect our guys to skate and work," Keefe said. "When you do that, you make up for so many mistakes. It is a very imperfect game that we play, a game that is filled with mistakes. So, the more we work, the tighter and more connected we play, we will be able to support one another and make up for mistakes."
Sprinting drills have been a prominent part of training camp. Players from each group can be seen hunched over, trying to catch their breath before Keefe blows his whistle, and they take off for another sprint.
It is clear that there is an emphasis on pace and skating.
Based on general manager Tom Fitzgerald's comments about his team's commitment to practice habits at his end-of-season media availability, it makes sense that conditioning has been a priority.
"When we go to work, we work. I ask you for an hour a day," Fitzgerald said. "You should be able to handle a very crisp skate in March after four (games) in five (days). It is a mindset. That's where I would like to get to. I want the game to be easy for our players. The only way to do that is to get into the best possible shape we can be."
One player at training camp is familiar with Keefe's coaching style as he previously played for him.
Keefe was Colton White's head coach during his time with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League. On Saturday, The Hockey News asked the defenseman if Keefe is the same head coach he remembers or if his coaching style has evolved.
"It has evolved. Some of the stuff is similar from when I had him in Junior, but there is still some stuff that is new for me," White said. "The pace of play in Junior is still being implemented."
Nov 23, 2022; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Colton White (45) reacts against the New York Rangers in the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
That pace Keefe is known for had to be appealing to Fitzgerald, who was not satisfied with what he saw from his team last season.
Those conditioning drills may be mundane, but they are fundamental because, as Herb Brooks once said, the legs feed the wolf.
The Devils will get their first taste of the preseason on Sunday night when they host the New York Islanders at Prudential Center.
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