GM Fitzgerald Criticizes Devils’ Underwhelming Performance

Tom Fitzgerald, the General Manager of the New Jersey Devils, recently addressed the team’s struggles this season. He acknowledged that the Devils’ current performance is “just not good enough.” Despite a promising start, the team has faced significant difficulties in recent months.

Current Standing and Performance

The New Jersey Devils began the season strong, boasting a record of 13 wins, 4 losses, and 1 overtime loss (13-4-1). However, their performance has since declined dramatically, recording only 10 wins against 17 losses and 1 overtime loss (10-17-1) since that initial stretch. As of now, the team ranks sixth in the Metropolitan Division and sits five points behind the second wild card slot for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the Eastern Conference.

Fitzgerald’s Accountability

• Fitzgerald stated, “This is on me,” reflecting his accountability for the team’s struggles.
• He emphasized a collaborative organizational culture, aiming to find solutions to improve the team’s performance.
• Fitzgerald acknowledged the importance of maintaining high standards, especially for a franchise with a rich history.

Shifts in Performance Metrics

The Devils’ performance metrics have notably deteriorated. On November 15, the team ranked:

• 9th in the NHL in goals per game (3.28)
• 13th in goals against per game (2.89)
• 5th in power play efficiency (25.5%)
• 5th in penalty kill success (84.9%)

However, since then, they have plummeted to:

• Last in the NHL for goals per game (2.18)
• 24th for goals against per game (3.25)
• 25th in power play efficiency (16.4%)
• Last in penalty kill success (70.8%)

Looking Ahead

Fitzgerald addressed the issue of consistency, stating that every sports team experiences ups and downs. He expressed his commitment to working with the team to regain stability and return to winning form. He also reassured fans that the organization understands their expectations, and anything less than championship-level performance is unacceptable.

Despite the team’s struggles, Fitzgerald indicated that he is hesitant to make drastic changes to the core roster, which includes notable players such as captain Nico Hischier, Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, and Timo Meier. The focus remains on enhancing the team’s existing strengths rather than a complete overhaul.