Checking Boxes
The biggest takeaway for the Devils is that they've checked a lot of the boxes of things they wanted to accomplish in the off-season. Going down the list: they wanted to sure up the goaltending situation (Vanecek), add a top-6 winger (Palat), add center versatility (Haula) and add a physical player (Smith).
And all of those players check off two more boxes collectively, that is adding veteran leadership and players that have been a part of winning franchises.
"You can go back a couple seasons when we talked about having some adults around our children," Fitzgerald joked. "We feel like we're doing that. As our children are maturing and understanding the next steps in their careers, it's just an exciting time for the New Jersey Devils."
Johnny Sweepsteaks
The Devils landed the NHL's top free agent last season with the signing of Dougie Hamilton. They were also in the top-3 among teams competing for this year's top free agent in Johnny Gaudreau. Although, Gaudreau ultimately signed with Columbus, New Jersey was amongst the finalists.
"Yes, we were in on Johnny Gaudreau, and he chose to go in a different direction," Fitzgerald said. "We wish him nothing, but the best."
For two straight years, New Jersey proved to be a desired destination for the top talent in the NHL regardless of how things unfolded.
"That is exciting to be able to be in those races, right like for top free agent prizes, whether this year, last year, whatever it is," Fitzgerald said. "That type of investment, not every general manager has the opportunity to be in the hunt there.
"I think the investment part is important because David Blitzer or Josh Harris have proven that they will give us any resource possible, especially outside of the cap, to become an elite organization from player development, athlete care performance, amenities. They've given us everything to apply to recruiting players like this. It shows a lot on people choosing us. It tells the league that we're coming. It's a great place to play. The fanbase is passionate about our team … Just living here in New Jersey, unless you know about it, you don't know about it. And we're trying to educate the rest of the league and recruit because it is a hidden gem."
Staffing
The Devils announced an addition to their coaching staff in the morning the hiring of Andrew Brunette as an associate coach. Brunette, who was a finalist for the Jack Adams Award as NHL Coach of the Year last season, steered Florida to a 58-win campaign. He'll run the power play for New Jersey.
Brunette, 48, has done it all during his hockey life. He played over 1,100 games in the NHL and has been assistant coach, assistant general manager and interim head coach during his time.
"His people skills are incredible. Just a down to earth person," Fitzgerald said of Burnette. "A walking encyclopedia hockey wise, extremely smart player when he played and played a long time and navigated his way around the league because of his hockey sense.
"We're just super excited to add to our staff with a person like this. And then you look back at actually his coaching ability, what he did last year, finishing runner up for the top coach award. I can't say enough great things about both Andrew and was super excited at him as well."
