NEWARK, New Jersey Lindy Ruff was relieved of his head coaching responsibilities by the New Jersey Devils on Monday afternoon.
“I hold our entire organization to the highest levels of accountability to focus on being a competitive team that expects to be a perennial playoff contender,” Fitzgerald stated. We aren’t there yet, which is unfortunate, so I had to make this choice.
Given our relationship, this was a really challenging subject for me to have with Lindy. Above all, he is a fantastic person and the ideal coach for our young kids to grow under.
For the remainder of the season, the team designated Associate Coach Travis Green as Interim Head Coach.
He will oversee the group that now includes goaltending coach Dave Rogalski, Ryan McGill, Chris Taylor, and Sergei Brylin as assistants, according to the news announcement.
Ruff’s hiring in July 2020 has developing new talent as one of its goals. He was successful with Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, and Nico Hischier throughout his stay; they all had breakthrough seasons.
Ruff signed a multi-year contract deal on October 11, 2023, to stay behind the Devils’ bench.
“We’re incredibly fortunate as an organization to have Lindy Ruff behind the bench to guide this group, who’ve made significant strides under his leadership,” Fitzgerald stated.
“I’ve always believed that Lindy was, and continues to be, the right man behind the bench for this team.”
“I’m thrilled to commit here to this situation and couldn’t be prouder of the great progress that our group made last season,” Ruff stated.
“We have a special group in Jersey, and there’s an opportunity to accomplish long-term success, make a lot of positive memories, and give our fans a lot to cheer about – because our Devils’ fan base is one of the best in the League and they deserve to see a winner.”
