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New York Islanders: 5 Potential Coaching Candidates

By Matt O'Leary
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 27: Head Coach Barry Trotz of the Washington Capitals addresses media during Media Day for the 2018 NHL All-Star at Grand Hyatt Hotel on January 27, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 27: Head Coach Barry Trotz of the Washington Capitals addresses media during Media Day for the 2018 NHL All-Star at Grand Hyatt Hotel on January 27, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Sheldon Keefe

For the last three years, Sheldon Keefe coached in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies. As Kate wrote yesterday, Sheldon Keefe makes sense due to his connection with Lou Lamoriello in Toronto.

The Toronto Marlies are up 2-1 in the AHL Calder Cup Final as we speak so chances are they win the thing in the next week or so. Keefe would be an interesting hire.

He has a lifetime .691 win percentage in the AHL. Despite not having any NHL experience, the 37-year-old Keefe seems like the next guy who will make the leap to the league.

This hire would be a bit of a risk due to the lack of NHL experience. Since the Arbour Era, the Islanders have pretty much hired exclusively coaches with no NHL experience. The connection to Lou makes him a prime candidate though.

After the 2004-2005 season, Keefe stopped playing hockey and has coached pretty much immediately since then. With eight seasons behind the bench, Keefe will get his opportunity somewhere whether it’s with the Islanders or not.

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