The Devils and GM/President of Hockey Operations Tom Fitzgerald are mutually parting ways after he spent more than six years leading the front office. Under Fitzgerald’s leadership, the Devils reached the playoffs twice -- in 2023 and 2025, with just one playoff series win in those two runs. After a 16-7-1 start, The Devils “greatly disappointed and will miss the playoffs in 2026.” It initially appeared that Fitzgerald “was building deep, puck-possession-oriented roster that had staying power among the NHL’s elite teams.” However, Fitzgerald’s roster construction “drew widespread criticism this season” (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 4/6).
Sources mentioned that the team will not have an interim GM for the remainder of 2025-26. The search for Fitzgerald’s long-term replacement -- “which has already begun -- is ownership’s No. 1 priority.” Sources added that ownership has “not yet decided whether they’ll hire one person to take the reins as general manager/president of hockey operations or split the role into two.” This is the “most important decision in franchise history -- especially after such a disappointing half-decade” (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 4/7).
The Devils are one of three NHL teams now searching for someone to head up their hockey operations, joining the Maple Leafs and the Predators. Fitzgerald, who was the first captain in Predators history during his playing days, is “considered a candidate for the opening in Nashville.” The Devils’ GM job will be “viewed as very desirable by would-be candidates around the league.” It is a team with “star core players that screams bounce-back next season” (THE ATHLETIC, 4/6).
