In his first press conference in months, Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald took an unmistakable stance on who bears responsibility for the team’s disappointing performance this season: himself.

“This is where we’re at right now. It’s on me. And I’m one to take accountability on myself,” Fitzgerald said in the opening minutes, setting a tone of ownership that permeated the entire session.

The statement wasn’t just rhetoric — it was repeated multiple times as media members pressed for explanations about the team’s struggles.

Fitzgerald didn’t mince words about the current state of affairs, stating bluntly, “This isn’t good enough. It is absolutely not good enough. We’re not meeting the standard and expectations we’ve set.”

It’s a stark acknowledgment that will resonate with Devils fans who have grown increasingly frustrated with a team that showed so much promise early this season after last year’s first-round playoff exit to the Carolina Hurricanes.

This year, the Devils were among the NHL’s best teams in the opening weeks of the season. But after Jack Hughes’ stunning off-the-ice injury in November, the team fell apart. Even as Hughes returned, the Devils have had problems syncing their game.

“I feel for the fans, I really do,” Fitzgerald said. “They’re used to Stanley cup championship teams with players like (Ken Daneyko) Dano and anything less is unacceptable.”

When directly challenged about why he should remain in his position given the team’s performance, Fitzgerald didn’t flinch.

“It’s a great question and a question I know a lot of people probably want to know,” he responded, before expressing confidence in his vision. “I’m very confident in where I’ve taken this team to and how we built through the core and added the pieces that we wanted to add to become a contender every year.

“I do think I can be the one to help move this organization forward,” he insisted, highlighting his personal connection to the region. “I love New Jersey. It’s my… It’s been my home for the past 10 years, 11 years.”

The Devils (23-21-2, 48 points) enter Wednesday’s game against the Seattle Kraken six points behind the Washington Capitals for third place in the Metropolitan Division and five points behind the Toronto Maple Leafs for the final wild card position.

There’s time to reverse the season. But like Fitzgerald, time is running out.