Simon Nemec's comments on Sheldon Keefe suggest the Maple Leafs were right to move on

Simon Nemec refused to talk about Sheldon Keefe, showing the real disconnect between the two and it's become clearer as to why the Maple Leafs decided to move on.

The New Jersey Devils and Simon Nemec have not seen eye to eye over the past little while. Although they drafted him 2nd overall in 2022, the team never really gave him the star treatment, and never got to showcase his two-way ability.

That became even more evident with Sheldon Keefe coming over from the Maple Leafs. You'd think that an offensively talented player like Nemec would thrive with a coach who utilized a much faster, up-tempo style.

Simon Nemec and Sheldon Keefe's relationship has completely disintegrated

Instead, there was nearly constant friction between the two parties, and Keefe decided to run with players like Dougie Hamilton and Luke Hughes instead. Nothing against both players, but Nemec is a player who clearly was drafted to be part of the solution - yet never got a chance.

So with that, he was traded to Calgary and recently spoke to media about his new start. Taking the high road though, Nemec decided to put his past with Keefe behind him and look towards the future:

Sorry, I don't want to talk about that. It wasn't bad. We had a different vision, but it's behind me, and I don't want to open that up again. I don't want to prove anyone wrong - that's not my mindset. I just want to have fun and play hockey. My mindset is to be better every day and help the team.

The Flames will certainly be able to benefit from Nemec, and he'll be able to showcase more than his 49 career points (155 games) has dictated thus far.

Maple Leafs' choice to move on from Keefe was the right one after all

But if we were to take a step back, there has to be a tiny bit of credit given to the Maple Leafs. Keefe was let go after being unable to push past the second round, and Craig Berube came in. While that wasn't exactly perfect in the end, Toronto realized a new voice was needed.

Keefe's record with the Maple Leafs wasn't the issue either, as he posted a 212-97-40 record in the regular season, but only managed a 16-21 record in the playoffs with Toronto - and is 1-4 with the Devils.

Keefe is a good coach but also at points stubborn - much like Berube. Toronto also wasn't immune to this coaching friction either, as Berube would prefer to use Calle Jarnkrok over Easton Cowan which drew a lot of backlash from fans and pundits.

It was mostly a stylistic change, as Brad Treliving wanted a more defensively sound and gritty team, which played into Berube's tactics. But without the proper roster around him, that experiment failed much sooner than anyone could have thought.

Keefe's reluctant nature to play a younger player was a turning point for the Devils and Nemec, and with the team backing their bench boss, Nemec was an unfortunate casualty. But he doesn't seem to mind at all, knowing he's going to get everything he's wanted and more with Calgary.

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