Its almost like these owners are doing everything they can to get rid of this team. Its obvious they want the building. They could give two poops about the team. Any time they put money into the team it was to enhance the building. It's like they want no one to attend these games. They honestly don't care about the New Jersey Devils. You have options for both HC and GM and more time given the circumstances and THIS IS WHAT YOU COME UP WITH!? Just move the team to Quebec or KC or whatever already.
- brodeurman89

This, unfortunately, this.

What a complete POS franchise the Devils have turned into. Not only do you have coaching prospects complain they want to know who the GM is but then you name your interim GM your permanent GM. I’m ok with Fitzy but we’ll see.
But that this might have cost us Gallant or Lavy is insane.

As for Ruff. What the hell are you thinking. Was the joke of a defense not enough of an embarrassment that we needed to hire a guy who’s last team (Stars) were a defensive train wreck? Ridiculous.

Is this some secret plan to relocate the team to free up more event dates at the Prudential Center? Are the owners lobbying for more Disney events in the building??? This is just no way to run a railroad. Complete Joke Moves.

F. U. IN THE A Harris and Blitzer I’m not spending one red cent to support this team. Fire Ray Ray because you want to win now and then half ass this poop. LIARS!

And you hire a reject from the Rangers to boot.
Shame on you.
- Queenie_5_hole

Someone sounds excited for the 2020/2021 season

Good for Lindy.

Someone sounds excited for the 2020/2021 season
- Mentalorgasm5

It's nice not to feel alone.

Devil's used to be one of the most defensive teams....so they hire the guy who ruins the defense of his teams. But this pushes the Rangers' rebuild forward a step. Addition by subtraction! My favourite!

I now feel sorry for Devils fans.

Can we stop pretending to know more than we do on our owners and their unwillingness to pay? It is a tired story-line. These guys are incredibly wealthy. Ben Simmons, Al Horford, Tobias Harris and Joel Embid combine in salary next season at $119.8M... and that is just 4 players!

You can be disappointed that we didn't get our top choice, but let's stop with the foolishness that these guys didn't want to pay.

Let's just hope Ruff is being brought in with one initiative, develop the young talent and get this team to score some goals. He has had success in this area, so I am hopeful we can make some strides forward. Let's see who he hires for the D, should be interesting.

Mete the 7th best rush-leading defenseman in the NHL just behind EK65?!?! and still only 22. What a stud!

Mete the 7th best rush-leading defenseman in the NHL just behind EK65?!?! and still only 22. What a stud!











- Komisaurus Rex

Connor Carrick #2.

Can we stop pretending to know more than we do on our owners and their unwillingness to pay? It is a tired story-line. These guys are incredibly wealthy. Ben Simmons, Al Horford, Tobias Harris and Joel Embid combine in salary next season at $119.8M... and that is just 4 players!

You can be disappointed that we didn't get our top choice, but let's stop with the foolishness that these guys didn't want to pay.

Let's just hope Ruff is being brought in with one initiative, develop the young talent and get this team to score some goals. He has had success in this area, so I am hopeful we can make some strides forward. Let's see who he hires for the D, should be interesting.
- ShoresideDevil

We have the lowest payroll in the league WITH $7.937 MILLION DOLLARS counting toward our cap. You want to believe these guys are willing to pay, knock yourself out. But attacking people for dealing with what there is plenty of evidence for is ridiculous.

NOT TO MENTION there has been information along with Ruff's hiring that specifically mentioned that ownership balked at Laviolette's asking price which may be why we are getting Ruff instead.

Connor Carrick #2.
- mjones242

I don't know. MacKenzie Weegar is severely underrated on this list. As soon as you find out who he is, you'll be very impressed.

We have the lowest payroll in the league WITH $7.937 MILLION DOLLARS counting toward our cap. You want to believe these guys are willing to pay, knock yourself out. But attacking people for dealing with what there is plenty of evidence for is ridiculous.

NOT TO MENTION there has been information along with Ruff's hiring that specifically mentioned that ownership balked at Laviolette's asking price which may be why we are getting Ruff instead.
- Queenie_5_hole

It is a tired conversation that we seemingly always arrive at b/c you cannot understand the dynamics of finance. They spent $9M on PK last year, $4.5M on Goose, $5M on Wayne. They gave Nico an above market deal at $7M, they opened the door for Taylor to sign btw $9M-$11M. None of these are small figures.

When TH left, they hit the reset button and traded away the contracts which is why we are at the floor. It was purposeful. This is a rebuild through the draft, you save cap space with intent for future contracts. Our cap situation is amazing. When we are ready to compete, when the players currently developing hit their ceilings we will have the money to retain them all. This is how you run a team that is in dire need of being torn down and rebuilt. It just happened way too late and we waited too long to do the right thing.

What if Lavy wanted $5M for 5 years and Fitz thought they'd get exactly the same result out of Ruff for less money and shorter term? We do not know is my point, the "internet" isn't exactly the most reliable source when we are talking rumors. Ruff is 60 and this is his last shot so I am sure he will do everything to right the ship. He was definitely not my top choice, but ownership didn't hire him to save $1M per year, that is for sure! Billionaires like money and the Pru Center makes a lot of it, I agree. Know what else makes money? Post-season Hockey for starters... Merchandise Sales... Bigger TV ratings... all these things make their franchise more valuable and makes them a lot more money than pinching the penny on the payroll.

It is a tired conversation that we seemingly always arrive at b/c you cannot understand the dynamics of finance. They spent $9M on PK last year, $4.5M on Goose, $5M on Wayne. They gave Nico an above market deal at $7M, they opened the door for Taylor to sign btw $9M-$11M. None of these are small figures.

When TH left, they hit the reset button and traded away the contracts which is why we are at the floor. It was purposeful. This is a rebuild through the draft, you save cap space with intent for future contracts. Our cap situation is amazing. When we are ready to compete, when the players currently developing hit their ceilings we will have the money to retain them all. This is how you run a team that is in dire need of being torn down and rebuilt. It just happened way too late and we waited too long to do the right thing.

What if Lavy wanted $5M for 5 years and Fitz thought they'd get exactly the same result out of Ruff for less money and shorter term? We do not know is my point, the "internet" isn't exactly the most reliable source when we are talking rumors. Ruff is 60 and this is his last shot so I am sure he will do everything to right the ship. He was definitely not my top choice, but ownership didn't hire him to save $1M per year, that is for sure! Billionaires like money and the Pru Center makes a lot of it, I agree. Know what else makes money? Post-season Hockey for starters... Merchandise Sales... Bigger TV ratings... all these things make their franchise more valuable and makes them a lot more money than pinching the penny on the payroll.




- ShoresideDevil

No, you don't understand that just because PK Subban cost $9M doesn't mean they are willing to spend money. There is a cap floor and it's not like NJ can magically live in an alternate NHL universe where players are inexpensive. The individual contracts are not what determine if you willing to spend or not. It's the collective actions in your total payroll picture.

AND, they never opened the door for Taylor Hall to sign a $9 to $11M extension. That's just not true. They traded him early in the season and NEVER made him an offer. Words from Taylor Hall himself.

I don't know. MacKenzie Weegar is severely underrated on this list. As soon as you find out who he is, you'll be very impressed.
- gergeswillems

No queef or Wings players. Tough look for you

As much as I was not for hiring Ruff(Wanted Laviolette)...I think we are jumping way ahead of ourselves guys.Can we at least give the man a chance to prove himself before destroying him. He does bring 19 years head coaching experience and from what I have read from former players is he is definitely a guy who will hold the young kids accountable. Do we ever honestly know how a team will react to a specific coach? I remember when we first hired Lemaire long time ago fans ripped Lou Lams for the hire and that worked out pretty damn good. Also former players said Ruff was a big factor in developing Seguin and Benn. So until we play some games I will give Fitz benefit of doubt

I vented earlier how I don't like the hire, but I will try and put some faith into Fitzy and his hiring of Ruff. The next Hires for assistants will really speak volumes. If they Keep Nass I will not be upset, his ability to actually lead the team after Hynes getting fired changed my opinion of him. But I would rather see Scott Stevens run the D and Patrick Elias run the PP/PK. I remember I hated the hire of Pat Burns but he made me a believer even after Benching Dano in the Playoffs and then letting him play in game 7 to end his career.

I vented earlier how I don't like the hire, but I will try and put some faith into Fitzy and his hiring of Ruff. The next Hires for assistants will really speak volumes. If they Keep Nass I will not be upset, his ability to actually lead the team after Hynes getting fired changed my opinion of him. But I would rather see Scott Stevens run the D and Patrick Elias run the PP/PK. I remember I hated the hire of Pat Burns but he made me a believer even after Benching Dano in the Playoffs and then letting him play in game 7 to end his career.
- JonnyGar

I think Nas would be smart to take a HC job in a lower league to begin his path back to NHL as the top dog. He was a good leader and much better as HC than being in charge of our D. Plus it would be very strange to shift him back to assistant role after being the head coach, for the players.

I watched the Ruff/Fitz virtual press conference and was pleased with what I saw. average life of NHL coach is something like 3-5 years so if he can get these kids to become men and collectively get them close to their ceilings, then I'd be more than pleased. He has a great record and is one of most winning coaches of all time. I am over sticker shock and on board with the decisions. Time to focus on the draft and wait to see if we have 1 pick or 3!

It looks as though the Devils will get a top draft pick next year. Ruff will definitely make the team even worse. Everyone already knows his "system."