The New Jersey Devils have made a major coaching change, relieving Lindy Ruff of his duties and promoting associate coach Travis Green to take over as head coach for the remainder of the season. The Devils, who currently sit in sixth place in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 30-27-4, have underperformed this year and are not meeting the organization’s expectations. New Jersey’s president and general manager, Tom Fitzgerald, expressed the need for accountability and a competitive mindset within the team.
Ruff, a seasoned NHL head coach with 24 seasons of experience, spent the first 15 seasons with the Buffalo Sabres before moving on to the Dallas Stars and eventually the Devils. Under his leadership, the Devils made it to the second round of last year’s playoffs before losing to the Carolina Hurricanes in five games. However, this season has been challenging for the team, and changes were deemed necessary.
Taking over as head coach, Green brings with him a wealth of experience, having previously served as the head coach of the Vancouver Canucks for parts of five seasons. During his tenure, he compiled a record of 133-147-34. Green has been the associate coach for the Devils since June 2023 and is familiar with the team and its players. Fitzgerald expressed confidence in Green’s ability to demand results and lead the team back on the right track.
One of the key struggles for the Devils this season has been their goaltending. They have allowed over 13 goals above expected in all situations, which ranks third-to-worst in the league, according to Evolving-Hockey. This weakness cannot be attributed solely to Ruff, as he did not build the goalie tandem. However, there have also been issues in front of the net, contributing to the team’s disappointing season. Playing from behind has been a common theme for the Devils, as they have allowed the first goal in 44 of their 61 games so far. This trend has cost them numerous games and opportunities, and the coaching staff has been unable to find a solution.
In addition to the goaltending struggles, questionable lineup decisions have also been a factor in the team’s underperformance. Players like Timo Meier and Dawson Mercer have not been maximized at even strength or on the power play. The game of defensemen John Marino and Jonas Siegenthaler has seen a decline, and there have been deployment issues with Alexander Holtz. All of these factors have contributed to the Devils’ disappointing season, along with injuries and other circumstances.
Despite the coaching change, it remains to be seen whether it will be enough to turn things around for the Devils. The team has lost significant ground in the standings, and even as they have gotten healthier in recent weeks, they have been unable to capitalize on wins and build momentum. The coaching staff’s inability to address the team’s struggles has led to the decision to part ways with Ruff and hope for a fresh start.
Looking ahead, the Devils face numerous challenges in rebuilding and regaining competitiveness. The departure of veteran defensemen Ryan Graves and Damon Severson in free agency, along with Dougie Hamilton’s injury, have created a difficult situation on the blue line. Rookies Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec have been thrust into significant roles, but the burden may have been too much for them on a team with playoff aspirations. Star player Jack Hughes has also missed time due to injury, further complicating matters.
To overcome these obstacles, the Devils will need to find ways to string together consistent stretches of winning hockey and make the most of their talented roster. The coaching change is a step in that direction, but it will require adjustments in strategy, lineup decisions, and player development. Along with addressing the goaltending issues, the Devils will need to focus on improving their defensive play and finding ways to generate more offense.
In conclusion, the New Jersey Devils’ decision to relieve Lindy Ruff of his coaching duties and promote Travis Green to head coach reflects the team’s frustration with their underperformance this season. The struggles in goaltending, questionable lineup decisions, and difficult circumstances have contributed to the team’s disappointing record. The coaching change provides an opportunity for a fresh start and a renewed focus on accountability and competitiveness. However, rebuilding and regaining competitiveness will require significant adjustments and improvements in various aspects of the team’s play. Only time will tell if the coaching swap will be enough to turn the tide for the Devils.
