Just one day before the puck drops on the 2023-2024 season, the Devils finally signed head coach Lindy Ruff to a multi-year extension.
Just 12 months ago, the headline of the article would have been unthinkable. Lindy Ruff seemed like the next coach destined to be fired by the Devils after spending several years at the bottom of the standings. Like Peter DeBoer and John Hynes before him, it seemed like a matter of when not if Lindy would be fired. Fans, myself included, were speculating about, and waiting for, Ruff’s firing for years. But, after the most successful regular season in Devils history and one of the most impressive turnarounds in NHL history, Lindy Ruff has more than earned an extension in NJ.
Isn’t it crazy how we got here? not even 12 months ago, we pretty much all wanted a new bench boss running things in the Garden State. The season began with two horrible games and the “Fire Lindy” chants were raining down from the rafters of The Rock. Then, an incredible win streak paved the way for an outstanding season, which led into the first playoff series victory in over a decade. Now, Lindy Ruff has the Devils back where they were in my childhood, the Brodeur era, Stanley Cup contenders. Now, thanks in large part to Lindy Ruff, it isn’t just delusional die hard lunatics like me picking the Devils to go all the way based on not much more than my own crazed fantasies. Lindy Ruff has been a big part in making this organization respected and feared once again.
Tom Fitzgerald has had a plan ever since day one on the job as Devils GM. It didn’t start smooth but he stuck to his vision. It took a few years, but it is finally coming to fruition. Fitzgerald knew Lindy Ruff was the man for the job when just about everyone else wanted Gerard Galant or Peter Laviolette to be hired. Fitzgerald chose Ruff and then stood by his man after two years at the bottom of the standings. I grew up saying “In Lou We Trust”, after just about every trade, signing, and firing that the Devils made under Lou Lamoriello and now I think we can all relax and put a similar trust in Tom Fitzgerald because just about every move the guy makes ends up paying dividends for the Devils.
The Morning Skate 