The New Jersey Devils are still looking for a head coach. During his end-of-year presser, team President and General Manager Tom Fitzgerald stated what he wants in a head coach to guide this team back to a Stanley Cup. Fitzgerald also admitted he wanted a head coach in place by the NHL Draft, which will be held in Las Vegas on June 28-29, 2024.
The Devils were expected to perform better this season. Fitzgerald shares the blame for the team’s shortcomings. During the season, the Devils made a coaching change. New Jersey fired Lindy Ruff, who returned to Buffalo for a second go-round. Assistant coach Travis Green was given the interim tag.
Though the team performed better, the Devils wanted to hire a coach outside the organization. Green went to Ottawa to become the Senators’ new head coach.
We know how fast the coaching market can move. Similar to the goalie market. Once one coach gets hired, everything falls into line. Fitzgerald and the Devils would do their due diligence, especially if names were still coaching in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
However, the New Jersey Devils must get the guy they want to be their next head coach. They can not settle on the third or fourth best option because they do not want to pay a coach, as happened last time with Lindy Ruff. The carousel will stop on the coaching market; the Devils must act quickly.
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New Jersey Devils Options For Head Coach
As documented last time, the wing and the prayer is a coach like Mike Sullivan. Sullivan is a good fit for the Devils, but unless the Penguins fire Sullivan, he will stay in Pittsburgh, as ownership wants to win another Stanley Cup with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Could Rod Brind’Amour be in play? He might have been if the Carolina Hurricanes got swept out of the playoffs again. He still could go.
More realistic names include Sheldon Keefe, Craig Berube, Jay Woodcroft, and Todd McLellan.Each coach is qualified to coach the Devils.
Sheldon Keefe
You knew his phone would ring once the Maple Leafs let Keefe go. The Devils have interviewed Sheldon Keefe for the head coaching position. They sought and got permission from the Toronto Maple Leafs. Keefe had an extension that had not kicked in yet and can wait for the best option. His record and winning percentage speak for themselves. The question is, can he get it done in the playoffs?
Jay Woodcroft
Based on Fitzgerald’s comments about using analytics and being a good communicator, Woodcroft fits that bill. We saw in Edmonton that Woodcroft had the Oilers in the top five of all the major analytics categories, which is why he is in the mix. We saw what he did with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl; the Devils have talent equal to that on the roster. Nobody says they have McDavid or Draidaitl, but Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, and Jesper Bratt have the potential with the right coach.
Craig Berube
Of course, there is Craig Berube. Berube is an ideal fit for the Devils. However, Berube is going to command a market. He could do other jobs, especially now that the Maple Leafs job is open. The belief is Berube wants to coach in New Jersey. However, can the Devils afford the price he is looking for? He is the disciplinarian the Devils need for this group to take the next step. Everyone talks about how he was out of his welcome in St. Louis. It was one player, but they did win a Stanley Cup during his tenure. However, every coach in the NHL is hired to be fired.
Todd McLellan
McLellan has interviewed with the Devils and was brought back for another interview; however, he might not be the guy Fitzgerald is looking for. Though a good coach, the style of play does not fit the roster the Devils are constructing. He only brought the Los Angeles Kings so far.
Closing Argument
Again, nothing is official until it is official, but according to some reports, Craig Berube and the Toronto Maple Leafs have a verbal agreement in place; if that is the case, expect the Devils to hire either Sheldon Keefe or Jay Woodcroft as the next head coach.
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