New Jersey Devils: Tom Fitzgerald Isn't Going Anywhere

While the New Jersey Devils were in the midst of a three-game winless streak last week, news of former Pittsburgh Penguins General Manager Jim Rutherford’s abrupt resignation took the league by surprise. Rutherford cited “personal reasons” for stepping away, however, rumors have surfaced he left the organization because ownership blocked him from completing a trade involving veteran defenseman Kris Letang.

Pittsburgh has immediately begun searching for Rutherford’s replacement and reportedly has a growing list of candidates. According to a recent article from the Athletic, one name they’re coveting is New Jersey Devils General Manager Tom Fitzgerald. As most of us know, Fitzgerald joined the Devils with Shero in 2015 as assistant general manager. He became interim general manager in the wake of Ray Shero’s firing last season before the title became permanent this past summer.

Should New Jersey Devils fans be concerned? Not really.

According to the recent piece in The Athletic, Fitzgerald is Pittsburgh’s preferred choice due to his familiarity with the organization, strong relationship with Sidney Crosby, and successful track record of evaluating young talent. Despite his promotion with the Devils, Fitzgerald’s assistant general manager contract expires before the 2021-2022 season, and Pittsburgh made their intentions of asking for permission to speak with him known. The article also claims Fitzgerald has not spoken with anybody in the organization about the general manager position, and Pittsburgh is taking a very wary approach to this situation.

Unfortunately for Pittsburgh, Elliotte Friedman reports the New Jersey Devils are unwilling to let Fitzgerald interview—citing his importance to the organization’s future—and intend on clarifying his contractual situation.

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Fitzgerald’s moves have been popular with New Jersey Devils fans, from the return he got for Blake Coleman, to his performance at the 2020 NHL Entry Draft and modest offseason acquisitions. The Devils’ faithful seem trusting of his plan and ability to yet again make this organization a perennial playoff contender. That makes any concern about Pittsburgh plucking Fitzgerald from New Jersey understandable. Even if Fitzgerald’s one-year deal expires before signing a new contract, such a scenario materializing might be more complicated for the Penguins than initially perceived.

Although he clarified New Jersey’s current stance on Fitzgerald’s availability to other teams, Friedman initially alluded to Pittsburgh’s potential interest by noting his “unique” contract situation with the Devils. Despite Fitzgerald signing a long-term extension while assistant general manager, Friedman pointed out his one-year deal is distinctly for the general manager position. So, while Fitzgerald’s term as general manager is set to expire in the coming months, he’ll technically still be under contract with the organization.

Even when looking at making this decision from Fitzgerald’s point of view, staying in New Jersey makes the most sense. Yes, Pittsburgh presently is the more appealing organization to work for, being one of the league’s regular playoff participants that always have a shot at the Stanley Cup with Crosby and Evgeni Malkin on their team. However, most of their core players are well over thirty, so one could argue Pittsburgh’s window of opportunity is (or will) beginning to close. Throw in their depleted youth crop, and Pittsburgh’s prospects become bleaker in the long run.

Fitzgerald is helping build a foundation centered around Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier in New Jersey that he readily embraced with a robust hands-on approach. Yes, Fitzgerald has deep ties with the Penguins organization, but what would appeal more to a new general manager looking to leave their mark? Overseeing a pre-established era where he’d primarily be making sure the machine stays oiled, or continue forming a new team philosophy and identity of his doing? At least with the New Jersey Devils, Fitzgerald has a vision he could use to build his own winning legacy. With Pittsburgh, he would simply be inheriting one already set in place by his predecessors.

The New Jersey Devils aren’t letting Tom Fitzgerald go anywhere, and will probably lock him up long-term in the not-too-distant future. Ownership is happy with the job he’s done over the last year and values his know-how, while I’m sure Fitzgerald is relishing the coming challenges of righting the ship in Newark.

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