“\u201cI assure you that we are doing everything we can to bring this club back to what you all expect from us. Our expectations are to be a perennial playoff team and to be competing for a Stanley Cup.\u201d”<\/p>\n
David Blitzer, Devils’ Managing Partner<\/p>\n
Mehta started by speaking directly to the fans and sharing his excitement to be home. \u201cI\u2019ve heard, read, and felt the support from Devils fans,” said Mehta. \u201cAs many of you know, I have been you for 40 years. It\u2019s not an exaggeration when I tell you this is my dream job.\u201d The Wyckoff, New Jersey, native now gets the opportunity to help bring a Stanley Cup back to his home state.<\/p>\n
Mehta went on to speak about how he wants to go through the process of shaping the team in his image. \u201cI wanna make smart, educated, and objective decisions, and I wanna do it over and over and over again.\u201d On top of that, he shared his excitement about where the team is at this juncture.<\/p>\n
“\u201cI’m extremely optimistic about this team, we have a lot of talented players, and I really truly believe that these talented players are about to hit an inflection point and get over that hurdle.\u201d”<\/p>\n
Sunny Mehta, Devils General Manager<\/p>\n
The new GM was asked if he had made any decisions already on the coaching staff and roster. \u201cAs for the short term, going forward, there’s going to be a period of assessment on all players, coaches, and staff. No decisions are made on anything pertaining to that.\u201d Only time will tell if Mehta decides to bring in a new head coach and other staff. He’s already reached out to the entire team and gotten their thoughts on several topics.<\/p>\n
Speaking of the team, Mehta brought up his first experience speaking with the superstar Jack Hughes. \u201cHe’s an intense dude, man. We met for coffee a couple days ago, and I want to say, like the first 20 minutes, he just hammered me with poker questions. And I was, I was not expecting that!\u201d Needless to say, it sounded like Hughes and Mehta already are getting along, and that’s important. <\/p>\n
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Mar 7, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) celebrates his power play goal against the New York Rangers during the second period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Salus-Imagn Images | Thomas Salus-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
Blitzer was asked about questions surrounding whether or not the team will be aggressive in spending to improve the team. “We intend to spend to the cap every season.” That will be something to keep our eye on, given the team’s cap constraints<\/a> left by former GM Tom Fitzgerald. There are plenty of questions and decisions that Mehta must answer in the near future.<\/p>\n However, after hearing him speak for the first time publicly, the vibes couldn’t be higher for the New Jersey Devils fanbase. A new phase of Devils’ hockey has begun.<\/p>\n
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