A compilation of news and notes surrounding the New Jersey Devils' search for a head coach.
A compilation of news and notes surrounding the New Jersey Devils' search for a head coach.
NEWARK, N.J. -- The New Jersey Devils search for a head coach is underway.
General manager Tom Fitzgerald revealed during his end-of-season media availability he would like to have the position filled by the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, which is scheduled for June 28.
On the May 1st episode of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman shared what he is currently hearing about the Devils and their search.
"The word on New Jersey is they want to take a big swing," Friedman said. "They want to see if there is a big swing they can take out there. Obviously, John Cooper (Tampa Bay Lightning) and/or Mike Sullivan (Pittsburgh Penguins) would be as big of a swing as you can take, and Craig Berube is obviously right there, as I previously mentioned."
On May 10, Friedman provided the following update on New Jersey.
"New Jersey kind of seems to be at a point where they are deciding between Craig Berube, Jay Woodcroft, possibly Todd McLellan, and maybe anyone else I might be missing."
Let's break down some of the names that have been in the spotlight over the past few days.
Travis Green: Accepted Job with Ottawa Senators
During his end-of-season media availability, interim head coach Travis Green confidently said he would 100 percent like to be the head coach of the Devils. Fitzgerald noted that Green is a candidate for the job but will do a league-wide search to find the right person for the job.
"I owe it to the organization that I scour the coaching world for who I believe would be the perfect coach for this group moving forward for what's available out there," Fitzgerald said. "(Green) checks a lot of boxes. I think he's a no-nonsense head coach. I think he's very open. Players know where he stands and his thoughts. And that's important. But it's my responsibility to make sure no stone is left unturned."
On April 30, Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff reported Green interviewed with the Ottawa Senators for their coaching vacancy.
Friedman confirmed Seravalli's report.
"New Jersey is now allowing Travis Green to interview for other jobs, just in case he is not kept as the head coach. They realize they can't be unfair to him."
On May 7, the Senators named Green as their next head coach, a title he will hold through the end of the 2027-28 season.
"I was going through the process with New Jersey, and I should thank Tom Fitzgerald for allowing me to go outside the organization to interview with other teams," Green said during his introductory media availability with the Senators. "I received a call from Tom that (Senators general manager) Steve Staios wanted to interview me, and really it took off from there."
Craig Berube: Accepted Job with Toronto Maple Leafs
It is believed that Berube is at the top of multiple lists for teams looking for a head coach, including the Devils.
Berube led the St. Louis Blues to their 2019 Stanley Cup championship. He became the second interim head coach in NHL history to guide his team to a Stanley Cup title, joining Larry Robinson, who had accomplished the feat 19 years earlier with the Devils.
On May 3rd, Friedman said a decision on Berube may come sooner rather than later.
Three days later, on May 6, Friedman provided another update on 32 Thoughts: The Podcast.
"I mentioned on Friday that he was considered high on Ottawa and New Jersey's lists. I had some people tell me they don't think it is going to be Ottawa," the NHL insider said. "Again, I am not saying that it means it is definitely going to be New Jersey because I think Toronto may weigh in on this. I had a few people tell me don't hitch your wagon to Berube and the Senators."
On the May 10th episode of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast, Friedman mentioned Berube being a top candidate for the Toronto Maple Leafs, who now have a vacancy.
He continued to say, "I think Berube has had some serious talks with New Jersey."
On May 17, the Maple Leafs introduced Berube as the 32nd coach in Toronto's history.
Mike Sullivan: Remains With Pittsburgh Penguins
After rumors swirled, Rob Rossi of The Athletic posted an article confirming, "There have been no requests and no permissions granted" regarding the Devils speaking with Sullivan (from 'Penguins GM: 'No permissions granted' for Devils to speak with Mike Sullivan' The Athletic, 4/30/24).
As Rossi reported, Sullivan's three-year extension with the Pittsburgh Penguins begins with the start of the new NHL season on July 1.
Friedman had the following to say about Sullivan on the May 1st episode of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast.
"I was under the impression that it was pretty much a slam dunk that Sullivan was coming back to Pittsburgh," he said. "That they were more than comfortable with Sullivan as the person to lead them through the next phase of whatever this is, even though there was a general manager change, I had heard the working relationship was set to continue into next year. Now all this is coming out."
"I think there are teams who are looking for coaches that are like, 'What happens if Mike Sullivan is avaliable? Is he available? Is there any chance he does not want to stay in Pittsburgh?' If the answer is yes, there are teams that would want Sullivan," Friedman continued.
UPDATE: On May 3rd, Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas announced the organization parted ways with associate coach Todd Reirden. He ran the Penguins power play, which finished 30th in the NHL (15.27%).
Todd McLellan
On May 3rd's episode of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast, Friedman provided an update on Todd McLellan.
"Someone told me he interviewed with four teams," he said. "My guess on that list is New Jersey, Ottawa, St. Louis, and Seattle. That is my guess. He is obviously making the rounds."
McLellan began the 2023-24 season as the head coach of the Los Angeles Kings. He was relieved of his duties on Feb. 2 after his team lost 14 of 17 games leading up to his firing.
Friedman believes McLellan is a top candidate for the Maple Leafs along with Berube. If he interviews with Toronto, it would be the the fifth team he spoke with.
Jay Woodcroft
On May 7, TSN's Darren Dreger reported that the Devils are speaking with multiple candidates, including former Edmonton Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft.
Woodcroft was fired on Nov. 12, 2023, after the team started the season with a 3–9–1 record.
Sheldon Keefe
On May 10, Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reported that the Devils have sought and received permission to speak with Sheldon Keefe.
The organization fired the former Toronto Maple Leafs head coach on May 9, 2024, after his team failed to advance to the second round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Keefe concluded his Leafs tenure with a record of 212-97-40 (.633) in the regular season and 16-21 (.432) in the playoffs, winning just one series in five years.
This article will be updated as information is released over the next few days. Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.