New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald spoke with the media and reflected on his team's successful 2022-23 campaign. Gave updates on his head coach and contract talks for Jesper Bratt and Timo Meier.

NEWARK, N.J. -- On May 17, New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald met with the media via Zoom conference to discuss his team's successful season. He discussed an array of topics and started by confirming who his head coach will be next season. 

Lindy Ruff Will Return As New Jersey's Head Coach 

Early in his media availability, Fitzgerald confirmed that Lindy Ruff will return as his bench boss. The veteran coach was named a finalist for the Jack Adams Award on May 5 after leading his team to a 49-point improvement from the 2021-22 campaign. 

"He'll be back behind the bench," Fitzgerald said. 

"Four years ago, or whenever it was, I was looking for the right coach for this organization, on where we were and how to get to where we want to go and watch the development of our players, our core players, and how they have grown," he said. "As we went along, we always said Lindy Ruff was the right coach for this group. Here we are today and he's still the right coach for this group."

During his end-of-season media availability on May 13, Jack Hughes once again endorsed his head coach.

"I've always backed Lindy. He did a great job getting us to this point. We had a tremendous year, and Lindy did a great job with us."

Fitzgerald again stated that Ruff is a great partner for him and that the players love him. It's the same words that were preached at the conclusion of last season.

"There's no such thing as a perfect coach, but he's got the utmost respect from our players, from us, and from ownership," said Fitzgerald. "He's still the right guy for this job."

Ruff won the Jack Adams in 2005-06 with the Buffalo Sabres and is a four-time finalist. He was the runner-up in 2006-07 with the Sabres and finished third in 2015-16 with the Dallas Stars. He ranks fifth in NHL history in games (1,713) and wins (834) and would be the second Devils coach to win the award (Jacques Lemaire, 1993-94).

“Jesper Wants to Be a Devil Long-Term, and So Do We”

Fitzgerald shared that he paused negotiations with Jesper Bratt's agent, Joakim Persson, during the team's playoff run. 

"There was definitely progression for sure. There's definitely a framework of a deal to be done long-term if (Bratt) wants that, and he knows exactly what that framework looks like."

During his own end-of-season interview, Bratt expressed that New Jersey is a place that he calls home, and the team's journey is something he wants to be part of. 

"Tom and I have had a good relationship. We've talked all the time, and I feel like we have trust in each other. I've been clear since day one that I think this is a great place to play," he said. "...I think the contract negotiation will all get settled somehow. I have full confidence in my agent and in Tom that we'll get something done."

Bratt finished the 2022-23 campaign with 73 points (32G, 41A) in 82 games. He proved last season was not a fluke by matching his point total from the 2021-22 campaign. For the first time in his career, he reached the 30-goal mark. 

"He had a tremendous year. Nobody doubted (that) he wouldn't," Fitzgerald said. "He is part of the fabric here, part of the core. We just want to get this done. I don't anticipate contentious negotiation. I think his agent knows where we're at. So probably put the ball back in his court, and we'll touch base here soon. ...The business side of it will get back on track here shortly."

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The goal for Fitzgerald this summer remains the same. His focus is to continue to build a team and look for the right pieces to complement his young core. There will be plenty of internal decisions that will need to be made as Tomas Tatar, Miles Wood, Damon Severson, Ryan Graves, and Haula are all unrestricted free agents, while Yegor Sharangovich, Michael McLeod, Nathan Bastian, Jesper Boqvist, Kevin Bahl, Bratt, and Blackwood are restricted free agents.