FULL COVERAGE
PRESS RELEASES
Devils Hire Tom Fitzgerald as EVP/General Manager
Devils Hire Lindy Ruff as Head Coach
VIDEO
DEVILS NOW | A Big Day for Fitzgerald and Ruff
Full Press Conference Introducing Ruff, Fitzgerald
Welcome, Lindy Ruff!
1-on-1 with Jake Reynolds
1-on-1 with Martin Brodeur
1-on-1 with Lindy Ruff
Zajac on the Coaching Hire
Zacha on the Coaching Hire
ARTICLES
BIG READ: The Path Forward
About Lindy Ruff
Who is Lindy Ruff? Stan Fischler Surveys the Hockey World
The History of Devils Coaches, From Stan Fischler
Stan Fischler Gets Thoughts from Scott Bowman, Chico Resch and Others on the Hire
QUICK HITS
Three Things on Lindy Ruff, presented by Wawa
Lindy Ruff Fast Facts
Stan Fischler's Coaching Sidebar
BLOGS
Ruff Ready to Develop Young Devils Team
Fitzgerald Reaches Post Playing Days Dream with GM Title
Blitzer Discusses Devils GM and Coach Hirings
"It'll be that constant communication and feedback from practices, from games, to get a really good feel for where they're at, for where I think they're at, or where I think they can get to. I think a lot of times you can tell them what you want to do, but most times they want to know why. 'Why do I have to do it.' And guess the question you got to answer the most is 'why do you need me to do this.' And for most times the answer to that is, for the team to be successful."
The Devils Head Coach believes that the last three years with the New York Rangers as an assistant coach has allowed him to become more in tune with the younger players of the league, and what they need for their development.
"I looked at [the Rangers Assistant Coach position] as an opportunity to get better, to challenge myself to communicate better with younger players," said Ruff. "I enjoy coaching young players. I know it's sometimes challenging. I think sometimes they want to get to the finish line quicker than you think you can get them there. But when I was with the Rangers I just went back, I tried to establish a great relationship with the players as an assistant coach and help them grow. I think, for the most part, the last couple years have been rewarding when it comes to that."
Ruff also discussed Devils 2019 1st-overall draft pick jack Hughes, and how he expects the forward to continue to develop.
"My feeling is with Jack, he's at that point where you find the right guys for him to play with. Off ice, on ice, he gets stronger, he gets quicker. He develops from a younger player," said Ruff. "That first year is a hard year for a lot of young players but it's just measuring it and growth. Let's get to that next step and then you can take off from there."
For Ruff, the Devils Head Coach job is more than just a coaching position. The new Devils Head Coach is looking forward to doing his part to help the franchise back to post-season play, and the hunt for a fourth Stanley Cup Championship.
"I'm really really excited to be a part of the Devils organization, there's a great history there. The Stanley Cups speak for themselves. I know there's a great foundation that's been built. And along with management and Tom, the ownerships, [I'm] looking to building the rest of the pieces and take this team in the right direction. Get in the Stanley Cup playoffs and go from there."
