Todd Cordell: Ranking the New Jersey Devils' head coaching candidates

I just know they’re going to hire ruff and then some random gm a month later

Todd, is there any chance that the devils are waiting to interview a coach from a current playoff team, hence the delay in decision-making? Curious who you believe would be a viable option if that were the case.

Todd, how do those metrics account for personnel? LIke apparently Mike Yeo is a really good coach according to these metrics but I don't think anyone wants him as a coach. Also, why is there such a big discrepancy year over year between what the stats say and the actual results?

Todd, is there any chance that the devils are waiting to interview a coach from a current playoff team, hence the delay in decision-making? Curious who you believe would be a viable option if that were the case.
- devils_30

Ruff and Stevens are both "playoff" coaches. Don't see why we wouldn't interview other coaches.

Ruff and Stevens are both "playoff" coaches. Don't see why we wouldn't interview other coaches.
- rmdevil313

Forgot Stevens is currently with Dallas, everything i read about him stated "former Kings coach". Regardless, with the emergence of Ruff as a candidate, perhaps the devils are turning to other assistant coaches around the league if they believe Laviolette, Nas, Gallant, Stevens, etc. aren't the perfect fit.

I just know they’re going to hire ruff and then some random gm a month later
- shvingter88

Darcy Regier and Lindy Ruff reunite for a decade of Devils glory

Hello Todd, Great analysis as always! Before we condemn Dev s management here lets also remember it takes two to tango. After the playoffs are over could there be more attractive spots for Gallant - and is he just biding his time, unwilling to commit to NJ? I have no idea, but it is a possibility.

Todd, how do those metrics account for personnel? LIke apparently Mike Yeo is a really good coach according to these metrics but I don't think anyone wants him as a coach. Also, why is there such a big discrepancy year over year between what the stats say and the actual results?
- rmdevil313

Well, talented teams – such as Washington – often outperform their metrics because they have the skill to do so. The Devils don't so I feel like a steady dose of low percentage shots will lead to poor results, as we have seen in recent years

Darcy Regier and Lindy Ruff reunite for a decade of Devils glory
- BINGO!

Hopefully Carolina will be moved back home during that time so I could abort that poop show

Where’s Scott Stevens? Is he coaching material for NJ? He is a winning guy.

It’s going to be a ruff season

What happened to Bruce Boudreau? I would rank him #2 on that list. The rest of the group would be like hooking up with the ugly girl during last call

Also, long shot but wonder what Jaqcues Lemaire is doing? We would be sound defensively. LOL

You would think if ownership cared about building a winning team they'd find a way to entice Gallant to coach here. Spend some money and give him a multi year deal and input into player movement. He is the only guy to get excited about on this list.

Lavy is at best adequate.

The rest of the candidates are horrific. We need better.

If you can't land Gallant or at least Lavy, find better candidates.

What happened to Bruce Boudreau? I would rank him #2 on that list. The rest of the group would be like hooking up with the ugly girl during last call

Also, long shot but wonder what Jaqcues Lemaire is doing? We would be sound defensively. LOL
- Crushers68

BB was never on Friedman's list. He was just a hope from Todd that he was the "mystery candidate", but Friedman reported yesterday that he heard it was Ruff

Hello Todd, Great analysis as always! Before we condemn Dev s management here lets also remember it takes two to tango. After the playoffs are over could there be more attractive spots for Gallant - and is he just biding his time, unwilling to commit to NJ? I have no idea, but it is a possibility.
- redmonsters

If ownership tried to land Gallant and he won't come here, it is what it is. But really the rest of the list (other then Lavy) is just garbage. For owners who fired Shero so they could 'win sooner' maybe they should do a better job finding coaching candidates. Or perhaps hire a permanent GM.

I mean come on. This is a bullpoop way to run a franchise. It's indefensible.

Hopefully Carolina will be moved back home during that time so could abort that poop show
- shvingter88

Allah willing

As a Jack Hughes dynasty owner, please hire Gallant....I don’t want the metro to get even more challenging as a Canes fan...but please hire Gallant

Gallant and the first overall pick please

It’s going to be a ruff season
- shvingter88

Gallant and the first overall pick please
- K-dizzle

I'd soil my shorts and piss my pants

It's crazy to think our draft could range from 1st, 8th and 17th.. to just 9th and wait for next year's conditional 1sts. What a drag that would be in this beautifully deep draft. A top 3 AND 8? That would be insane.

It's crazy to think our draft could range from 1st, 8th and 17th.. to just 9th and wait for next year's conditional 1sts. What a drag that would be in this beautifully deep draft. A top 3 AND 8? That would be insane.
- MartysBetter88

With this year being a good draft I would like the picks this year. Especially with not having a 2nd or 3rd round pick.

Gallant and the first overall pick please
- K-dizzle

God (not Allah) willing

God (not Allah) willing
- Crushers68

Help me Baby Jesus.

Help me Jewish God.

Help me Allah.

Help me Tom Cruise!

- Ricky Bobby