The Devils on Thursday hired Florida Panthers Assistant GM and Head of Analytics Sunny Mehta as their GM, and he “will be in charge of all hockey operations decisions,” according to Emily Kaplan of ESPN.com. Sources said that this is the “only move” the Devils are expected to make at this time, and the rest of the department and coaching staff will “remain under evaluation.” Mehta replaces Tom Fitzgerald, who was “ousted earlier this month after the Devils missed the playoffs.” Mehta had worked in the Panthers front office since 2020 (ESPN.com, 4/16).
ANALYTICAL MIND: In Newark, Ryan Novozinsky noted Mehta was “instrumental” in the Panthers’ two straight Stanley Cup championships. He also worked for the Devils from 2014-18 as their director of hockey analytics — where he “pieced together the first full-time analytics department in the NHL.” Novozinsky: “His resume is unique. Mehta is a data scientist, former professional poker player, musician, two-time bestselling author and an options trader” (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 4/16). THE ATHLETIC’s Mirtle & Baugh wrote Mehta is “considered a hockey analytics pioneer and is one of the most prominent faces of the analytics movement in the NHL.” In addition to his work with the Panthers and Devils, he was previously a consultant for the Coyotes and Capitals, as well as six MLB teams (THE ATHLETIC, 4/16).
OFF THE BOARD: In Toronto, Kevin McGran wrote Mehta was “one of the names said to be on the Maple Leafs’ wish list” of GMs “because of his use of analytics.” Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment President & CEO Keith Pelley said that the “use of data would be central to the Leafs front office” moving forward. Mehta helped the Panthers “find players who had slipped through the cracks to aid them in winning the Stanley Cup the last two seasons” (TORONTO STAR, 4/16).