Devils hire Tom Fitzgerald replacement from Panthers

The New Jersey Devils fired general manager Tom Fitzgerald before the end of the regular season. With New Jersey’s season now over, the search for a general manager officially kicked into gear. However, this search did not take long at all.

The Devils are hiring Sunny Mehta as their new general manager, the team announced on Thursday. Mehta most recently served as an assistant general manager with the Florida Panthers. He won two Stanley Cups as an assistant GM in 2024 and 2025.

“This is a dream come true for a New Jersey kid, who grew up watching Devils’ practices just 20 minutes away in Totowa,” said Mehta in a statement released by the team. “After meeting with David Blitzer, Josh Harris, Bob Myers, and other members of the organization, I knew this was the place I wanted to be.”

Mehta returns to the Devils organization after six seasons with the Panthers. Mehta, who was born in Michigan but grew up in New Jersey, served as the team’s director of hockey analytics in 2014. In this role, he built the NHL’s first full-time analytic department.

Now serving as Devils general manager, Mehta faces an intriguing challenge. New Jersey has a promising and talented core already in place. However, the team has struggled with injury and underperformance over the last few seasons. Additionally, the Devils lead the league in no-movement and no-trade clauses handed to players.

With New Jersey’s vacancy now filled, there are only two general manager spots available around the NHL. The Nashville Predators are searching to replace the retiring Barry Trotz. And the Toronto Maple Leafs are searching for a GM after the firing of Brad Treliving earlier this season.