During his end-of-season media availability, interim head coach Travis Green made it clear that he would like to be the team's head coach for the 2024-25 season.
With so much uncertainty and questions surrounding the New Jersey Devils heading into the summer, one thing is sure: Travis Green wants to be the club's next head coach.
On Thursday, interim head coach Travis Green handled his end-of-season media availability. For 28 minutes, he fielded questions, and there was no more significant takeaway than his desire to have the interim tag removed and be the team's head coach for the 2024-25 season.
Following Lindy Ruff's departure on Mar. 4, Travis Green became the Devils' interim head coach. Over the final 21 games of the regular season, he led the team to an 8-12-1 record, finishing seventh in the Metropolitan Division.
During his availability, NJ Advance Media asked Green if he had any discussion with general manager Tom Fitzgerald.
"Fitzgerald and I have talked briefly. We'll talk more in the upcoming weeks. Do I want to be the head coach of this team? 100 percent. There's a lot of reasons why, one of them being the team is good and I want to win. There are certain parts of coaching that I believe in; collaboration is a big part of it, and I know when you talk about collaboration, that's seeing eye-to-eye with people throughout your organization. I think Fitzgerald and I see the game very similarly. I like what they're trying to do with the group and where they want to go.
But it's also collaborating throughout your organization, whether it's analytics or athletic training, and I think that's a huge part of winning.
Communication is a big part of what I believe in as coaching, and having accountability. I think these are all things that go into winning organizations.
Fitzgerald and I will talk more over the upcoming weeks, and we'll see where it ends up."
During Fitzgerald's own end-of-season media availability, he revealed that he wants a head coach in place before the NHL Draft, which will be held on June 28.
"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."
Fitzgerald's most critical decision this summer will be picking the right head coach to lead his team back into the playoffs. Will he stick with what is familiar, move on to a coach with a Stanley Cup championship on his resume, or risk it all on an up-and-comer with no NHL experience?
Time will eventually reveal the answer. All that's certain right now is that Green is committed and wants the opportunity to lead the Devils back to the postseason.