Tom Fitzgerald, the General Manager of the New Jersey Devils, is on the lookout for a new coach after the team’s disappointing season without making the playoffs. Travis Green, who served as the interim coach, is still being considered for the position.
Fitzgerald mentioned that he aims to have a permanent coach before the NHL draft in late June. He stated, “Travis is well aware of my intentions,” highlighting his commitment to finding the right fit for the team.
Fitzgerald emphasized the importance of communication and accountability in a coach, qualities that Green possesses. However, he also mentioned that there are other potential candidates to be evaluated, and new options may arise, especially after the first round of the playoffs.
Following a remarkable previous season where the Devils set a franchise record with 112 points and won a playoff series, this season saw a significant downturn. The team finished seventh in the Metropolitan Division and 13th in the Eastern Conference, with a record of 38-39-5, accumulating 81 points.
Their defensive performance also suffered, with an increase in goals against compared to the previous season. They never managed to win more than three consecutive games.
This led to Lindy Ruff’s dismissal in March, and Travis Green was promoted from associate head coach to interim coach.
New Jersey had a record of 30-27-4 when Ruff was let go. During Green’s tenure as interim coach, the team went 8-12-1, with eight losses by a single goal if empty-net goals were excluded, according to Green.
Green mentioned that he briefly discussed with Fitzgerald after the season ended and they plan to have more discussions in the coming weeks.
“I want to be the head coach of the New Jersey Devils,” Green expressed. Previously, he served as the head coach in Vancouver from 2017 until the early part of the 2021-22 season.
Green feels he learned a lot during his 21-game stint and believes he can accomplish more with the team if he can lead them through a training camp in September.
“It’s an exciting, exciting group and I think the future is bright,” Green remarked. The Devils have a young roster with talented players such as Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, Dawson Mercer, Timo Meier, and Alexander Holtz.
The team faced challenges on defense, especially with star defenseman Dougie Hamilton sidelined for most of the season due to a pectoral injury. This led to prospects Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec playing more than initially expected.
Fitzgerald mentioned that owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer have given him the freedom to make necessary changes. “I know exactly what this team needs,” Fitzgerald stated. “I understand the needs of these individuals. I know what they desire and long for. They’ve been yearning for it.”
The Devils fell short this season, possibly because opponents figured out how to counter their speed. Struggles in defense and goaltending further compounded the issues.
“We were hoping for more,” defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler remarked. “We had high aspirations at the beginning of the season, especially after last year. But in sports, you either win or lose, and this year we didn’t meet our expectations. We have a lot to learn, but I believe we have a promising future ahead of us.”
