5 Mistakes New Jersey Devils and Tom Fitzgerald Must Avoid This Offseason

The New Jersey Devils season is over, and there is a lot to do. Tom Fitzgerald is going to be busy. He was busy last season, with a lot more unrestricted free agents and contributors to evaluate. Fitz had to say goodbye to franchise mainstays like Miles Wood and Damon Severson, putting some of the young players as the longest-tenured Devils players on the roster. 

Despite not many UFA decisions coming up the pike, this is going to be Tom Fitzgerald’s most important offseason. See, the Devils massively disappointed this season, and they need major upgrades at multiple positions. They also don’t have a head coach in place. There is a lot to do, but Fitzgerald has to prioritize. So, where does he have to start?

He has to make sure that more than anything, he doesn’t make mistakes. Nobody should think he’s on the hot seat today, but another lost season would set his seat on fire. 

1. Pick The Wrong Coach

This is BY FAR the most important decision that Tom Fitzgerald has to make this offseason. Whether he goes after someone who’s been looking for a job since they lost their last one or someone who could lose their job in the next few weeks, the Devils need to find the perfect head coach. 

This head coach needs to find out why the power play failed at the end of the season or why the defense took 11 steps back. He or she must direct the Devils in down times and find out why they turtled in crucial moments this past season. They need to get the most out of the team’s stars while putting depth players in a position to succeed. Most of all, they need to discipline the right way, holding everyone to the same standard. 

Travis Green is going to get every chance to interview for the head coaching position, but after a pretty paltry end to the season, not many fans would be excited about that decision. The Devils need someone who’s going to win them a Stanley Cup. Fitzgerald can’t make a mistake here.