(Newark) New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald harshly criticized his team and his own work in explaining the decision to fire head coach Lindy Ruff less than a year after the veteran helped the team to have its best regular season.
In the wake of Ruff’s firing, Fitzgerald said he waited as long as possible for the team to find its feet. He finally showed his friend the door after his young squad suffered a fifth loss in seven outings, slipping even further from a playoff spot.
“We all share this responsibility,” Fitzgerald said. I just talked to the team and a good person lost their job because they’re not playing up to standard. I said, it starts with me. I was the one who put this group together. I try to build around our pillars.
” It’s not sufficient. It’s not a plan to hope things will change, he added. Everyone needs to look in the mirror. Everyone. The effort was not enough. We must do better. »
Travis Green now has the task of saving the Devils’ season with 21 games remaining. Green was preparing to lead a first game Tuesday night against the Florida Panthers.
Fitzgerald said he believes there is enough time for the Devils to turn things around and make the playoffs for a second straight season.
Green said he wasn’t going to change everything, but that some players could be left out if they don’t play with enough energy or deliver the goods.
The Devils went 30-27-4 under Ruff. They never won more than three games in a row and did not throw a shutout. Injuries to defensemen Dougie Hamilton and Jonas Siegenthaler and star forward Jack Hughes also undermined their efforts. Support player Michael McLeod left the team amid sexual assault allegations against him in the affair that allegedly occurred in London in 2018 after a Hockey Canada party.
Goalkeepers Vitek Vanecek, Nico Daws and Akira Schmid have all had roller coaster campaigns so far.
Fitzgerald, who signed Ruff to a contract extension last month, acknowledged he hopes to get a No. 1 goaltender by the end of the trading period Friday afternoon. He added, however, that he did not want to do so at the expense of the team’s long-term success.
“I think we are a good offensive team that manages to generate chances,” Fitzgerald said. We generate fewer chances entering the zone because of the way teams play against us. But to win games and championships, you also have to play well in your zone. »
Forwards tend to not drop back well, handle the puck poorly, and lose their player in coverage.
“It takes a higher level of commitment. It’s not something that takes talent, Fitzgerald insisted. It’s a choice you make when you’re on the ice. I need to see better choices from the team and individuals. »