Sunny with a Chance of Adversity: Turning the New Jersey Devils around will NOT BE EASY

Sunny with a Chance of Adversity: Turning the New Jersey Devils around will NOT BE EASY

From Locked On Devils - Daily Podcast On The New Jersey Devils by Trey Matthews, Locked On Podcast Network

April 18, 2026 · 30 min · Episode 1405

About this episode

Zach Berman discusses the challenges facing the New Jersey Devils under new GM Sonny Mehta, highlighting the difficult state left by former GM Tom Fitzgerald.

Zach Berman opens the episode by addressing the initial excitement around the New Jersey Devils hiring Sonny Mehta as their new general manager. Despite Mehta being a highly desired candidate and the Devils job seen as the most attractive GM position available, Zach Berman stresses that the work ahead will be significantly more challenging than fans might hope. He explains that former GM Tom Fitzgerald left the organization in a difficult state, with significant structural, contractual, and cultural obstacles that won’t be solved quickly or easily 00:00:08. He discusses insights from Elliotte Friedman’s recent reporting, including behind-the-scenes details of the hiring process and ownership dynamics, such as Bob Myers’ growing influence and the collaborative structure among the sports teams under the same ownership group. Zach Berman notes that the organization values synergy across its portfolio, which includes various pro teams. He also references the fallout from failed trade deals—particularly the club’s inability to acquire Quinn Hughes and subsequent fractures caused by no-trade clauses in existing players’ contracts—which contributed to Fitzgerald’s dismissal and have now…

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