Devils' Keefe praises Leafs ahead of matchup: 'Nothing but love'

New Jersey Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe expressed his fondness for the Toronto Maple Leafs ahead of his first game opposite his former team Thursday.

"I got nothing but love and respect to the people on the other side," Keefe said, according to TSN's Mark Masters. "I do think the team is in a really good place. Love the moves that (general manager Brad Treliving) made in the offseason. The team is as good as it's ever been, and I wish them nothing but the best."

The Maple Leafs fired Keefe after Toronto's first-round exit at the hands of the Boston Bruins. He amassed a 212-97-40 record over five seasons with the club but managed to win only one playoff round.

Keefe was hired by the Devils shortly after Toronto let him go. He replaced Lindy Ruff, who was New Jersey's bench boss for four seasons.

Devils captain Nico Hischier noted that the game's importance to their new head coach is fuelling them Thursday.

"There's definitely, in the room, some little extra motivation, for sure," Hischier said, according to Masters.

Forward Jesper Bratt shares Hischier's sentiment.

"We know this is an emotional game for (Keefe), obviously, and we all want to help him to get that win," Bratt said.

The Devils are off to a strong start under Keefe with two decisive wins over the Buffalo Sabres in Prague ahead of Thursday's home opener.