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The New Jersey Devils<\/a> named Sunny Mehta as the sixth general manager in franchise history. The move brings a two-time Stanley Cup-winning executive to the organization. He arrives as the team looks to rebound from a disappointing season and reestablish itself as a contender.\n<\/p>\n Mehta comes to the Devils from six seasons with the Florida Panthers. His tenure included three seasons as assistant general manager and head of analytics. He played a key role in building a Panthers roster that captured back-to-back Stanley Cup titles in 2024 and 2025. Mehta\u2019s experience in player evaluation, roster construction and data-driven decision-making played a major part in Florida\u2019s sustained success.\n<\/p>\n For Mehta, the Devils appointment brings him home. Mehta grew up in Wyckoff and then played high school hockey at Ramapo. He also began his NHL front-office career with the Devils, helping to build one of the league\u2019s first full-time analytics departments.<\/p>\n Now, after several years away, he returns to lead the organization he once helped shape.\n<\/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. \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.\u201d\n<\/p>\n He added: \u201cNew Jersey has a tremendous young core that will be looking to get back to being a contender, a complement of young assets and draft picks, and a passionate fan base hungry for success. I 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\n<\/p>\n Time for a turnaround<\/p>\n The Devils are coming off a difficult 2025\u201326 campaign in which they missed the playoffs, falling short of expectations.\n<\/p>\n Mehta is tasked with leading a turnaround built around a talented young core, led by Jack Hughes. The standout player delivered a generational moment earlier this year. Hughes clinched the overtime \u201cgolden goal\u201d<\/a> to lift Team USA to Olympic gold at the winter games.\n<\/p>\n Mehta replaces Tom Fitzgerald. The team dismissed the former GM earlier this month after more than five seasons leading hockey operations.\n<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m thrilled to welcome Sunny and his wife, Nicole, back home to New Jersey,\u201d said Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment<\/a> Managing Partner David Blitzer. \u201cWe quickly realized this job was in high demand and were incredibly fortunate to meet with many qualified candidates.\u201d\n<\/p>\n Nothing but blue skies and Sunny days ahead.\n<\/p>\n Jersey, we brought Sunny home.\n<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf0: https:\/\/t.co\/wpT2ELjjhg<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/OqtxOnMgNL<\/a>\n<\/p>\n \u2014 New Jersey Devils<\/a> (@NJDevils) April 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n HBSE\u2019s portfolio includes banners such as the New Jersey Devils, the Prudential Center and the Philadelphia 76ers, among other entities.\n<\/p>\n Blitzer added: \u201cSunny\u2019s familiarity with our organization and experience with a two-time Stanley Cup<\/a>-winning team are characteristics that will serve as a foundation for future success. Our expectations are to be a perennial playoff team and compete for the Stanley Cup, and I look forward to Sunny leading us there.\u201d\n<\/p>\n