Devils decide it's 'time to move in a new direction,' fire GM Tom Fitzgerald
The New Jersey Devils are the latest team to make a front office change, firing GM Tom Fitzgerald with immediate effect.
Devils decide it's 'time to move in a new direction,' fire GM Tom Fitzgerald originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The New Jersey Devils have announced that they are firing GM Tom Fitzgerald, managing partner David Blitzer announced Monday.
The move will take place immediately, and after six seasons as the GM and executive VP of hockey operations, as well as another season as interim GM during the 2019-20 season, the Devils and Fitzgerald will part ways. “Tom and I had a thoughtful conversation today and agreed it was time to move in a new direction,” Blitzer said. “Tom changed the trajectory of our team here, including setting a franchise record for points in a season and helping make New Jersey a hockey destination.
He is a well-respected leader across the Devils’ organization and NHL, and I am grateful for our friendship. During Fitzgerald’s tenure, the Devils missed the playoffs four times and were on pace to miss the post-season for a fifth time. The Devils currently sit seven points out of a playoff spot.
In his two playoff appearances, the Devils reached the second round once in the 2022-23 season and lost in the first round last year. Prior to taking the Devils GM job, Fitzgerald was an assistant GM for the Devils and GM of their AHL affiliate. Before that, he worked as an assistant GM and director of player development for the Pittsburgh Penguins .