5 Things We Learned In Tom Fitzgerald's Extension Press Conference
Tom Fitzgerald was asked timely questions impacting the New Jersey Devils both on and off the ice. These fives topics were the most important.
The New Jersey Devils announced on Tuesday that they extended Tom Fitzgerald. He's also getting an extended title, President of Hockey Operations. He will take on those duties, along with his general manager duties. When asked what the difference was, Fitzgerald said he is going to be more front and center, speaking to season ticket holders and spending more time promoting the team.
Fitzgerald was previously the Executive Vice President along with general manager. This new role shows the commitment the Devils have to Fitzgerald, who was sitting alongside Managing Partner David Blitzer, one of the main owners with Josh Harris.
Of course, with the media invited to the live press conference, Fitzgerald and Blitzer were asked questions beyond just his extension, and they provided some eye-opening answers. Here are three answers that really stood out.
1. Jack Hughes is going to the All-Star Game, but will he play?
Of course, one of the main topics was about Jack Hughes, who Lindy Ruff announced this week would likely not practice before the All-Star Break. Of course, Hughes was named along with his brother Quinn as captains of one of the four All-Star teams, choosing teams with singer Michael Buble.
That has many Devils fans asking what Hughes' role will be at the All-Star Game. Is it possible they will let him play without practicing with the Devils?
(Jack) will be attending the All-Star Game. Will he be on the ice for the All-Star Game? That's unknown.
So, as of right now, we know that Hughes is traveling to Toronto to pick the team with his brother and take part in the All-Star festivities. It sounds like the Devils are keeping the door open for Hughes to play, which some can take as a positive on his recovery. Maybe he will just take part in the skills competition. Either way, we know that Hughes will be representing the Devils north of the border.
2. A timetable for Dougie Hamilton's timetable
We've known for weeks that Dougie Hamilton is going to be out for a long time with a torn pectoral muscle in his chest. It's a devastating injury for a defenseman who is signed for four more seasons after this one. It's still unclear if Hamilton can even return this season, whether it's the regular season or during the playoffs, if the Devils are lucky enough to make it there.
Fitzgerald gave an update on Hamilton's health. Well, it was more like a timeline for an update. He said that Hamilton was going in for tests this week, and then he would go in for more tests in two or three weeks, which would reveal just what kind of timetable the Devils are working with.
We should have a better feel middle of February of where he's at and what his timeline really looks like. In real time from the start of when he got operated on, how many months that'll be for him to be 100% and be cleared to play.
It's been about seven weeks since Hamilton's injury. According to Very Well Health, he should be just starting with his range of motion movements. That's probably a large factor in how long Hamilton will be out. He's definitely not close, but if he's recovering well, hopefully Hamilton can help towards the stretch run. We've seen some athletes beat the odds and return faster than normal, like T.J. Watt.
There was an interesting comment about injuries later in the press conference. Blitzer said there is no way to know exact timelines and they have to have plans for any possible setbacks, and that's why the team never reveals injury timelines to a specific degree.
3. Goalie isn't the only concern
Fitzgerald was pretty candid when asked about the status of the team's goaltending. It's no surprise this was a topic of conversation. Rumors have the Devils tied to just about every goalie on the market. Vitek Vanecek is playing so far below his talent level, and it's making it hard for the Devils to post wins on a consistent basis. Nico Daws and Akira Schmid still have the jury out if they are the young goalies taking over the net.
When asked about the goalies, Fitzgerald made it a point that it needed to be better, but he spoke about the players around him a lot more.
I'm not going to say I'm cool with (the goaltending play). I want our goalies to play better. But I want our players to play better in front of them. We still have some areas of the game that need cleaned up... Hockey is a game of mistakes, but if you minimize the mistakes that turn into big chances, then you're getting better. We have some work to do there.
Clearly, it's not just the goaltending that's a problem in Fitzgerald's eyes. He acknowledged that the goalie is the last line of defense, but he's clear that it's a team game and the team in front of the goalies are just as much to blame for the puck going into the net as the one with all the pads are.
4. He's spoken about trades
When asked specifically about a goalie trade, Fitzgerald said his famous trope about always looking at deals to make the team better. It's the diplomatic approach that isn't too surprising. He's not going to throw Vanecek, Lindy Ruff, Schmid, Daws, or anyone else under the bus before a trade happens. He's also not going to show his cards to the rest of the league.
Of course, with talking about everything he was concerned about with this team, it's no surprise he's listening to what other teams have to say/offer to make this team better in the short and long term.
I'm looking to improve the team. As we continue to evaluate past, present, and where we want to go, if an opportunity arose that's going to help our team, absolutely I'm all in to do that.
They spoke earlier about how hard it was to evaluate the team with so many "quality bodies" out of the lineup. They spoke at length about missing Jack Hughes and the impact he and Hamilton have on this team when in the lineup. However, he said he was looking to improve the team and spoke about adding a depth defenseman or a goalie. He said his phone is always working, but right now, most of the other teams are just trying to gauge interest before making a deal.
5. Tyler Toffoli extension talk
A reporter asked about both Dawson Mercer and Tyler Toffoli's expiring contracts. It sounds like nothing has even been established with Mercer's camp. Of course, since Mercer is a restricted free agent, there is no rush to get a deal done. He's coming off his entry-level contract, so there is nowhere he can go. He's not even arbitration eligible.
When it comes to Toffoli, it's sure an opportune time to bring it up. He scored a hat trick on Monday night, and his third goal came in overtime to win the game. Fitzgerald says he's had multiple conversations with Toffoli's agent (Pat Brisson, who happens to also be the agent for Jack and Luke Hughes).
Is there a marriage here moving forward? I like Tyler Toffoli. I think he's been a really good add for this team because of his professionalism and his winning pedigree, but it is a business.
He went on to say he would meet with Brisson either during the break or right after it to see where Toffoli and his camp are at. We've heard before that he wants to find a home, and he has been good since he came here. He leads the team in goals, getting to 20 before everyone else Monday night.
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