The New Jersey Devils talked to a few GM candidates after letting Tom Fitzgerald go, but it was clear they had one candidate at the top of their list. Florida Panthers’ assistant GM Sunny Mehta was their guy, and they weren’t going to let others get in their way. David Blitzer moved fast, and the Devils' owner brought a name back that just made sense.
Mehta brings a measured mindset to the GM job. He utilizes analytics to make decisions, but understands the human element and its value. Mehta is saying all the right things in his first weeks of the offseason, and he’s already making moves, letting Dan MacKinnon and Chuck Fletcher go on Friday.Â
While the Devils' offseason has been in full swing since announcing Mehta’s hiring, other teams have been sitting in place with their GM openings. The Nashville Predators have known about their GM need for months after Barry Trotz announced his resignation during the season. Fitzgerald is expected to take the job, but it’s strange that it hasn’t happened yet.Â
The Vancouver Canucks technically have a GM opening, but Jim Montgomery is still there, and he basically makes all the decisions there, anyway.Â
The Toronto Maple Leafs are stuck in second place for their GM search
The most discussed GM opening is the one in Toronto. Maple Leafs’ management let Brad Treliving go after just a few years in a seat after a bigger disaster of a season than the Devils had. Everything went wrong in Toronto this season, and it caused major cracks in their foundation.Â
Reports stated the Maple Leafs had serious interest in Mehta, so they were probably surprised when the Devils got their guy so quickly. The Maple Leafs are considered a gem of the league, playing in hockey’s biggest market and having the money machine that is blue and white behind them. They are an Original Six team that’s built a legacy in this league despite their long Stanley Cup drought.Â
Recent reports say the Maple Leafs are preparing to hire John Chayka in some role. Chayka was a part of the Devils’ GM search, but he obviously didn’t get the job.Â
Chayka has a history with the Devils, one that actually made him a lightning rod around the league. That was years ago, and it appears the league is ready to welcome him back. This time, he’s going to the biggest market in the league.
What’s crazy is the Devils got their man and the Maple Leafs were forced to accept what’s left. Toronto is used to using its power and relevance to get what they want. Heck, they ended the Lou Lamoriello era in New Jersey. Now, the shoe’s on the other foot. The Devils are getting the top candidates, and the Maple Leafs are getting the leftovers.Â
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