Confirmed with Link: Devils to retain Fitz as GM, hire Ruff as coach

[glenwo2]

If the rumors are true, Lavy apparently wanted 5 million a year and the owners didn’t want to pay him that. So we get stuck with this f***ing drug fart

5 million a year?

How many years?

 

[Auto Pilot]

Feeling OK with Fitz

But let down on Ruff

FML

I’m not okay with a gm that goes with Ruff. At all. It’s a dumb move.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

If Hughes had a huge rookie year, I’m sure coaches would’ve been a bit more interested in the job. As it stands he’s still a question mark.

 

[glenwo2]

The rest of the league after seeing the news on Twitter

They shouldn't be laughing 'cause it could end up with the Devils nabbing another #1 Pick again.

You would think they'd WANT the Devils to be successful so they won't be taking any more Top picks again.

Ruff is not the person to take them out of the Lottery.

 

[RyGuy]

I was waiting for someone else to say it but.......it looks like its going to be a ruff season next year.

 

[OmNomNom]

ready to be proven wrong

let's surprise everyone again

 

[Emperoreddy]

From Fitzgerald's comments, this is just the start of a line of terrible moves. We are absolutely taking Sanderson at 7 and they're going to go after overpriced defensive defenseman and physical forwards in free agency. Fitzgerald thinks we're too soft and they're going to try to play Lou Lamoriello style hockey again. Really unfortunate because Shero was on the right track and the team just wasn't ready to blossom yet. First time in a long time that I don't like the direction of the organization.

We are too soft though. It has been a common complaint for two years. The forwards aren't very big and the D is even smaller.

They don't need a bunch of talentless grinders, but they do need some more snarl and some guys that can actually defend.

 

[None Shall Pass]

$5 million for a coach of a young, inexperienced team in a time where every team is loosing tens of millions of dollars? Yeah take a hike for that.

 

[glenwo2]

ready to be proven wrong

let's surprise everyone again

I want to be proven wrong.

DESPERATELY.

I want Ruff to come in and change this entire team around and get them to play WINNING HOCKEY.

I don't want any more mediocrity mixed in with Suckage anymore.

 

[Davegarri]

Eh this hire doesn't really bother me all that much. I got the sense that Gallant didn't want to be here anyway. I'll reserve judgement until after I see how the team performs under him.

 

[BurntToast]

Funk those other DB’s who didn’t want to be our coach. (Except Grönborg who is honoring his contract). Let’s Go!!Our new Goal Song:

 

[Beetlebum]

It's almost like the Owners read these boards and are trolling us for wanting a Veteran head coach instead of a newbie(like Hynes)...and then they go and hire Ruff thereby telling us(with smug grins) "See? We hired a VETERAN coach. Happy?"

I remember typing somewhere that the owners know NOTHING about Hockey; they only know how to acquire sports teams and making as much money as they can.

Well there is the proof.

With as deep a pockets as the Owners *allegedly* had, money should've been no object especially when it came to hiring Big-time Coaches like Lavi.

They have failed us in that regard.

And I, for one, AM PISSED....IMMENSELY.

That was me, they bought the team for the arena. We will never be competitive until they sell.

 

[glenwo2]

one hand waxes the others ____

shero was great at this too

hynes
fitzgerald
nasreddine

stempniak
kennedy
farnham
warsofsky
bennett
lovejoy
gibbons
dea
agostino
tangradi


///


i want results, not feeding your friends family….

…that said i hope ruff can take this team to better places

If he can take us out of the Basement and into the light, that would be a start.

 

[glenwo2]

Ruff is a lot like DeBoer in terms of temperament and his relationship with players, good at getting the most out of his players. Although DeBoer is obviously much better with systems.

So basically, we get a Vet coach but we'll still be without an actual system.

WONDERFUL.

 

[HBK27]

That was me, they bought the team for the arena. We will never be competitive until they sell.

Anybody remember what it was like having Vanderbeek as an owner, when we didn't even know if he could pay players' salaries?

I don't get the hate for the current owners.

 

[Blender]

 

[Blender]

Anybody remember what it was like having Vanderbeek as an owner, when we didn't even know if he could pay players' salaries?

I don't get the hate for the current owners.

Pretty sure we had no scouting staff during those days. Probably pulled a Buffalo and went 100% digital scouting, but also didn't buy any new computers.

 

[VoidCreature]

There's no need to overreact to this. Best case, Ruff turns our offense around and we come out swinging with breakouts from Nico and Hughes.

Worst case, the hire doesn't work out and we get another shot at Gronborg when his contract runs out in a couple years.

 

[SJinNewJersey]

I really wanted Gallant. And I know it shouldn't matter, but hiring a Ranger assistant coach as our head coach doesn't feel right.

 

[AfroThunder396]

So basically, we get a Vet coach but we'll still be without an actual system.

WONDERFUL.

That's not what I said.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Pete is good at running a very specific system.

He also needs a vet ready made team to work that system. He would have been an awful hire for where the team is currently at.

 

[Bleedred]

I really wanted Gallant. And I know it shouldn't matter, but hiring a Ranger assistant coach as our head coach doesn't feel right.

Somewhere out there, DD thinks this was a deliberate move shrewdly done by the Rags to infiltrate and undermine us.

 

[OmNomNom]

lets be honest, it was the disappointment of what could've been that's really getting to us

if the lavi and gallant rumors/news didn't get out and we just cold-hired ruff, we wouldn't be AS upset

 

[Nubmer6]

Umm... I'm a bit confused. Aren't the Rags going to the play-in round? How can we officially sign one of their coaches out from under them mid-season???

 

[HBK27]

Pete is good at running a very specific system.

He also needs a vet ready made team to work that system. He would have been an awful hire for where the team is currently at.

Yeah, I just really couldn't see Lavi coming to NJ - seems like he's been working with Vet teams for a long time.

Gallant made more sense, as he's worked with younger teams more recently...though he's probably the top coaching option out there an can afford to be picky with his next destination.