The New Jersey Devils have made a significant leadership change by parting ways with head coach Lindy Ruff. In a strategic move aimed at revitalizing the team’s performance, the Devils have appointed Travis Green as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Green’s experience and fresh perspective could provide the necessary spark for the team to improve its standings.

#NEWS: We have actually relieved Lindy Ruff of his head coaching duties and named Associate Coach Travis Green as Interim Head Coach for the remainder of the season.

? More details https://t.co/XdYH17w5gZ

— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) March 4, 2024

Despite being awarded a multi-year extension at the beginning of the season, the Devils continued to struggle under Ruff’s leadership. This prompted the organization to recognize that a change was necessary for the team to progress to the next level of its development. The urgency for change became evident following a disappointing California trip that saw the team secure only two points, highlighting the need for a new strategic approach.

While both players and management held Lindy Ruff in high regard, Tom Fitzgerald, the team president and general manager, acknowledged that a shift was essential to turn the season around and achieve their competitive goals.

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In a statement, Fitzgerald expressed, “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. Unfortunately, we are not currently at that level, and I needed to make this decision.” This sentiment reflects the pressing need for the Devils to regain their competitive edge and restore the team’s winning culture.

As we’ve witnessed with various coaching changes across the NHL this season, the decision to part ways with Ruff was not taken lightly. However, the reality was that the New Jersey Devils could not allow Ruff to walk into the Prudential Center to coach against the Florida Panthers under the current circumstances, as the atmosphere would have been too charged with negativity.

“This was an extremely difficult conversation to have with Lindy based on the relationship that he and I have,” Fitzgerald elaborated in his statement. “He was the right coach to develop our young players on the ice, and above all else, he is a tremendous person.” This highlights the complexity of the situation and the respect Fitzgerald has for Ruff’s contributions to the team.

During his tenure, Lindy Ruff led the Devils to the playoffs in the 2022-2023 season, where they achieved franchise records in points and wins. The team advanced to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs before being eliminated by the Carolina Hurricanes in five games, showcasing Ruff’s capability to lead the team to success.

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Over his three-plus seasons with the Devils, Ruff compiled a record of 128-125-28, resulting in a .505 winning percentage across 281 regular-season games. He also recorded a playoff record of 5-7 in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs and was recognized as a Jack Adams Award Finalist in 2015, underscoring his credentials as a coach.

Nevertheless, a range of factors, including poor player management, ineffective line combinations, slow game starts, and a lack of resilience, ultimately contributed to his dismissal. Ruff accepted responsibility for the team’s struggles this season, demonstrating his professionalism and commitment to the team’s success.

In the world of professional sports, coaches are often the scapegoat for a team’s underperformance. With players off-limits for dismissal, Tom Fitzgerald made the tough call to relieve Ruff of his duties. Ruff understands the nature of the business and the pressures that come with it.

Travis Green will assume coaching responsibilities starting with Tuesday morning’s skate. Green brings with him valuable experience from his time coaching the Vancouver Canucks for parts of five seasons, beginning in the 2017-18 season. He posted a record of 133-147-33 and successfully guided the Canucks to the second round of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs, indicating his potential to lead the Devils to new heights.

There is ongoing speculation that the Devils and the Flames may revisit previous trade discussions, particularly regarding Travis Green’s connection to goaltender Jacob Markstrom, which could influence upcoming roster moves.

?Night Cap Recap ?

Devils Have Fired Lindy Ruff. #njdevils @FullPressNHL @FP_Coverage @myNHLTradeRumor pic.twitter.com/hWogY4pYiD

— Jim Biringer (@JimBiringer) March 4, 2024