Yahoo Sports Maple Leafs' Bobby McMann And Jake McCabe Highlight Sheldon Keefe's Importance To Their Career Ahead Of Game Against Devils' Coach
When New Jersey Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe stepped in front of the slew of reporters inside Scotiabank Arena for the first time since departing the Toronto Maple Leafs last spring, he smiled.
It was the same walk as usual into the building on Thursday morning, but instead of stepping inside Toronto's dressing room, Keefe was down the hall, preparing for a game against the Maple Leafs in the away locker room.
Toronto has had the upper hand on Keefe's Devils this season, winning both meetings in New Jersey. Bobby McMann scored in the first game against the Devils, a full-circle moment for the 28-year-old who received a lot of opportunity from his former coach.
McMann played 10 games with the Maple Leafs during the 2022-23 season before cementing himself in Toronto's lineup the next season. He had 15 goals and nine assists in 56 games during his final season with Keefe as the bench boss.
"He was big. He gave me a lot of opportunity. Early on, I think he saw some things in my game that I could have an impact in the NHL, and I think he gave me the chance to utilize that," McMan said on Thursday morning ahead of the game against New Jersey.
"And basically, flat out told me that there's things on this team that you can fill. There's a physical side, there's a speed side, there's getting the puck into the offensive zone and those sorts of things."
Keefe was asked about that conversation ahead of his return to Scotiabank Arena. Even with Toronto last season, the head coach raved about McMann's game, calling his speed and strength strong qualities.
He did the same on Thursday morning, lauding the forward's play and work ethic.
"I think he's a great player, one that just stayed true to himself and believed in himself and kept working. I think he's a tremendous player," Keefe said.
"It was a great loss for us last year going towards the playoffs when he wasn't available because he becomes such an important part of our team. So to see him succeeding and really not missing a beat this year and just continuing to grow, you know, you feel sort of really good for guys like that."
Another player who found another level to his game under Keefe was McCabe. After Toronto acquired the 31-year-old in 2023, McCabe said the coach opened his eyes more to the offensive side.
The defenseman had a career-high eight goals and 28 points last season under Keefe.
"He really opened up my mind at least for the offensive side of the puck and gaining middle ice and how that can break teams down and different system things and just preparing for a game. I thought he prepared well. So, yeah," the veteran defenseman told reporters.
Just steps outside Toronto's dressing room, Keefe returned McCabe's gesture, adding he spoke to the defenseman when he was let go by the team in May.
"I think he does so many things very well and he's just such a gamer too. When I spoke with Caber after being let go, one of the things I said to him was, 'Every team needs a Jake McCabe.' And he's that guy," said Keefe.
"He's the ultimate team player, plays the game hard and honest but also works at his game and I really enjoyed having him. He helped us a great deal and clearly a big part of the team here too."
McCabe returns to the Maple Leafs lineup after missing the last four games with an upper-body injury. He'll draw into the lineup alongside Chris Tanev on Toronto's second defense pairing.
Sheldon Keefe draws a big crowd in his first return to Toronto as #NJDevils head coach. pic.twitter.com/N1EXlo0GSJ
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) January 16, 2025
Keefe admitted before the game against his former team that this matchup would be different for him. However, as dissimilar as the experience might feel, the first-year New Jersey head coach saw some familiarity as he stepped foot in the arena.
As Keefe said, he's been in the away dressing room before when the Marlies would roll in for their annual Scotiabank Arena games. But standing on the away bench coaching his team? That'll be a first on Thursday night.
"It feels very familiar as I said, everything from my drive in this morning to walk in, very familiar in that sense. But it'll be different here tonight, on the other side of it," Keefe said.
"But I also don't want to make it bigger than it is because it really is ultimately a hockey game and the players will, you know, determine the outcome on the ice on both sides. And I'll, you know, look to enjoy it for what it is and then we'll move along."
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