The New Jersey Devils were all too happy to bring Sunny Mehta home \u2014 and Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito was thrilled his friend gets such a great opportunity.<\/p>\n
Mehta, 48, is a native of Wyckoff, N.J., and spent four seasons with the Devils in heading up the NHL\u2019s first full-time hockey analytics department. <\/p>\n
He joined Zito and the Panthers in 2020, and was assistant GM and head of analytics for a team than won the Stanley Cup twice and went to the Final three straight years.<\/p>\n
\u201dSunny is fantastic with analytics and his ability to articulate it to coaches with easy conversations,\u201d Paul Maurice said when asked about Mehta last Saturday afternoon in Toronto. \u201cWe get detailed answers and explanations back.\u2019\u2019 <\/p>\n
Mehta had been rumored to be the top choice to take over the Maple Leafs, but returning home \u2014 and to take over a team with quite a bit of talent \u2014 was too much to turn down.<\/p>\n
He replaces original Panthers forward Tom Fitzgerald. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a dream come true for a New Jersey kid who grew up watching Devils\u2019 practices just 20 minutes away in Totowa,\u201d Mehta said in a statement. <\/p>\n
\u201cAfter meeting with David Blitzer, Josh Harris, Bob Myers, and other members of the organization, I knew this was the place I wanted to be. Thank you to Vinnie Viola, Bill Zito and the entire Florida Panthers organization for a fantastic six years and for the opportunity to take the next step in my professional career. \u2026<\/p>\n
\u201cI was fortunate enough to watch the New Jersey Devils raise three Stanley Cups, and am excited to get to work to return to that level.\u201d<\/p>\n
FHN: Florida Panthers Keep 2026 First-Round Draft Pick After All<\/a><\/p>\n Mehta may not be the last member of Zito\u2019s staff to move on<\/a> with Brett Peterson and Gregory Campbell also drawing interest from other teams.<\/p>\n Peterson is reportedly a finalist in Nashville. <\/p>\n \u201dI\u2019m the guy up here talking to you guys, but we are really blessed to have \u2014 and everyone knows \u2014 this is a collective and a team effort,\u2019\u2019 said Zito, who was an assistant GM for the Blue Jackets for a few years before getting the Panthers job in 2020. <\/p>\n \u201cEveryone contributes to this thing. I think it\u2019s great. I got a chance, I think everyone in this room got a chance where someone lets you continue to rise in your industry and profession. For me, it\u2019s a source of pride. It reflects well on the Panthers and how we do things, who we are. <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s flattering. I think all three of our AGMs are ready. \u2026 I would be happy for them to get a position, and I think they will knock it out of the park.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n ON DECK: FLORIDA PANTHERS\u00a0OFFSEASON<\/p>\n NHL Draft Lottery:\u00a0May 5; Secaucus, NJ<\/a><\/p>\n