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Tom Fitzgerald is officially left without a job after Nashville Predators go in another direction

Former New Jersey Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald was officially cut out of the Nashville Predators front office after spending much of the offseason as the favorite to get the GM job. He will have to look at a lesser job now that all the GM openings have been filled.
ByNick Villano|
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New Jersey Devils owner Joshua Harris speaks to the media alongside general manager Tom Fitzgerald: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
New Jersey Devils owner Joshua Harris speaks to the media alongside general manager Tom Fitzgerald: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images | Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

The New Jersey Devils said goodbye to Tom Fitzgerald this offseason. After six and a half seasons with him in the big job, the two parted ways in the final weeks of the season. Since then, the Devils hired the top option on the market in Sunny Mehta. The former Florida Panthers assistant GM was bringing a championship pedigree to the job. 

Meanwhile, many expected Fitzgerald to head straight for Nashville. He has a legacy with the Predators, acting as their first captain. He has a long relationship with Barry Trotz, but it seems like that actually backfired on him. 

While he was the favorite for a time to take over the job after Trotz announced he was walking away from his GM duties during the season, the Predators are going in a different direction.

Tom Fitzgerald did not get the GM job in Nashville

Once again, the Predators pulled the rug from under Fitzgerald’s feet. He probably thought this was a formality. He brought a long history of experience in the big chair, and the Predators were looking for direction. However, there’s no way Fitzgerald thought his competition would be someone already sitting in the chair for the Colorado Avalanche. Chris MacFarland helped build a top team in the NHL, and Fitzgerald is only responsible for a disappointing Devils team.

The Avs are one of the best rosters in the NHL. Now, one of the brains behind its construction is heading to the Music City. Meanwhile, Fitzgerald is left without a job for the 2026-27 season.

We’d imagine he would take a job similar to the one Chuck Fletcher had for the Devils this season. He’ll be a consultant type that’s on the payroll to make a few decisions or give his opinion when asked for it. However, the GM jobs around the league are filled. 

Fitzgerald still has his role with USA Hockey, so he may lean into that while he waits to see what opens up during or after next season. This is where he’s had the most success since leaving the Pittsburgh Penguins, as they won a gold medal at the Olympics this year. 

For now, we’re sure Fitzgerald will enjoy the fruits of his guaranteed contract. He’s been on the move for decades, moving right from a player to the Director of Player Development role in Pittsburgh. Now, he gets to take a breath and see how the market unfolds. However, we expect him to be devastated by his former team going for another name over him.

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