3 early candidates for Devils GM after Tom Fitzgerald firing

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3 early candidates for Devils GM after Tom Fitzgerald firing

Tristin McKinstry, ClutchPoints · ClutchPoints

Wed, Apr 15, 2026 ·

4 min read

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The New Jersey Devils missed the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and made some major changes as a result. The biggest domino to fall, at least to this point, came in the front office. The Devils fired general manager Tom Fitzgerald after five and a half years as GM and nearly 11 years with the team overall.

New Jersey ’s decision wasn’t entirely surprising. The Devils have amassed an impressive collection of talent over the last few seasons. But from injuries to general underperformance, they haven’t done anything with that talent. Furthermore, Fitzgerald has essentially handcuffed the team, as New Jersey leads the league in no-movement and no-trade protections handed to players.

The next general manager will have to be creative, depending on the direction they want to go. New Jersey has the pieces in place to compete right away. But they also could benefit from moving some players out and bringing fresh faces in.

Before any discussion about the roster can take place, though, the Devils need a new general manager. With this in mind, here are three potential candidates who could make a ton of sense as the next head decision maker in New Jersey.

John Chayka would give Devils experienced general manager

The Devils could opt to go with an experienced name during this cycle. And one experienced general manager who has recevied some buzz as of late is John Chayka. Chayka was the youngest general manager in league history when the Arizona Coyotes hired him in 2016 at just 26 years old. He served four years as GM before resigning from his post in 2020.

The Coyotes made the playoffs once under Chayka’s watch. However, his time with the Coyotes is known more for off-ice developments. The team was docked a first-round pick, for instance, after a scandal involving illegal draft workouts came to light.

In saying this, the situation with Arizona was quite difficult. And he does have player development successes to boast about. Clayton Keller , Matias Maccelli , Lawson Crouse , and Adin Hill are among the names he helped develop. Chayka could certainly return to a GM chair soon, and the Devils are among the teams that could fit.

Bruins ’ Jamie Langenbrunner played for New Jersey

The Devils could opt for someone with more familiarity in the organization. If this is the case, there are no shortage of candidates. One intriguing candidate is Boston Bruins assistant general manager Jamie Langenbrunner.

Devils are extremely familiar with Langenbrunner from his playing days. The former second-overall pick was traded to New Jersey in March 2002, and proceeded to play parts of nine seasons with the organization. Langenbrunner also served as captain from 2007 until he was traded away in 2011.

During his management career, he has helped the Bruins develop some of their key players. David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy have become stars under his watch. Morgan Geekie has established himself as a premier goal scorer in Boston, as well. And it appears as if Boston has found another young star in forward Fraser Minten .

Langenbrunner has worked in a variety of roles, including as head of player development. Now, as an assistant general manager, he appears ready to take the main job for himself. Joining the Devils as their general manager would be quite the full-circle moment for the former captain.

Panthers’ Sunny Mehta is a natural fit

Another executive that has familiarity with the Devils is Florida Panthers assistant general manager Sunny Mehta. Mehta never played hockey, and in fact is a former poker player. But his experience in NHL front offices gives him the necessary tools to potentially run his own team.

Mehta was hired by the Devils in 2014 as their director of hockey analytics. In New Jersey, the Michigan native built the league’s first full-time analytics department. One of Mehta’s main feats in New Jersey involved the drafting of Jesper Bratt . Mehta’s model ranked the 2016 NHL Draft class, placing Bratt third, according to The Athletic.

New Jersey did not select Bratt until the sixth-round, but Mehta pushed hard for his selection. It turned out to be a major success. Bratt has become one of the most electric playmakers in the NHL. He has scored 70+ points in each of the last five seasons, and has surpassed 80 points twice.

Mehta went on to win two Stanley Cups with the Panthers in 2024 and 2025 as an assistant general manager. Now, he appears in line for a general manager job somewhere in the league. Given his history with the Devils, New Jersey is a natural fit for his services.

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