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The New Jersey Devils announced on Monday that they are parting ways with head coach Lindy Ruff. The decision comes amid a disappointing season for the team, which currently stands at a 30-27-and-4 record. This move marks the end of Ruff's fourth season with the Devils.
Ruff, a veteran coach who has had a long and distinguished career in the NHL, was unable to steer the Devils towards success this season. The team has lost five of its last seven games, causing it to fall further out of playoff contention. As of now, the Devils are trailing by seven points in the playoff race.
Prior to joining the Devils, Ruff had successful stints with NHL teams like Buffalo Sabres, Dallas Stars, and New York Rangers. His tenure with the Devils, however, was marked by two losing seasons over four years.
The Devils' General Manager Tom Fitzgerald has also been under scrutiny for the team’s failures, with critics arguing that the team's struggles are not solely down to coaching. Despite this, the decision to fire Ruff was made in an effort to salvage what remains of a challenging season.
In the wake of Ruff's dismissal, the Devils have announced that assistant coach Travis Green will take over as the interim head coach. Green, who was previously an associate coach with the team, will lead the Devils in their upcoming game against the Florida Panthers tonight. The team hopes that this change in leadership will provide a much-needed spark as they attempt to claw back into playoff contention.