Devils Fire GM Tom Fitzgerald After Disappointing Season

New Jersey looks to rebuild leadership as they search for a new general manager and president of hockey operations.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 11:35am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game or match, with the players and action broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape, conveying the intensity and dynamism of the sport.The Devils' front office shakeup aims to chart a new course for the franchise and its young superstar Jack Hughes.Newark Today

The New Jersey Devils have fired general manager Tom Fitzgerald after five-plus seasons in the role, amid another disappointing season that will likely result in the team missing the playoffs for the fourth time in six years under his leadership. The team has already begun its search for Fitzgerald's long-term replacement, with ownership still deciding whether to hire one person to take on the dual role of GM and president of hockey operations or split the roles into two separate positions.

Why it matters

The Devils have struggled to build a consistent winner around star center Jack Hughes, who is one of the top young players in the NHL. This decision represents a critical juncture for the franchise as they look to get the team back on track and maximize the prime years of Hughes' career.

The details

The Devils entered Monday's action sitting 13th in the Eastern Conference with a 40-34-3 record. They will not have an interim GM for the remainder of the 2025-26 season, with the search for Fitzgerald's replacement being the team's top priority. Ownership has not yet decided whether to hire one person to serve as both GM and president of hockey operations, or to split the roles into two separate positions.

  • The Devils fired GM Tom Fitzgerald on Monday, April 7, 2026.
  • The Devils have 5 games remaining in the 2025-26 season.

The players

Tom Fitzgerald

The former general manager of the New Jersey Devils, who was fired after more than five seasons in the role.

Jack Hughes

The star center for the New Jersey Devils, who is considered one of the top young players in the NHL.

Sheldon Keefe

The head coach of the New Jersey Devils, whose future with the team is uncertain following Fitzgerald's dismissal.

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What they’re saying

“This is the most important decision in franchise history — especially after such a disappointing half-decade.”

— Ryan Novozinsky, Reporter

What’s next

The Devils will continue their search for a new general manager and president of hockey operations, with a decision expected before the start of the 2026-27 season. The team's new leadership will then have to make a decision on the future of head coach Sheldon Keefe.

The takeaway

The Devils' decision to part ways with GM Tom Fitzgerald underscores the team's struggles to build a consistent winner around star center Jack Hughes. The franchise is at a critical juncture as it looks to get the team back on track and maximize the prime years of Hughes' career.