What’s the old saying? Coaches are hired to be fired? Unfortunately, that saying was once again proven true on Monday night, March 4, 2024.
With less than a handful of days to go before the NHL’s annual Trade Deadline, Devils General Manager Tom Fitzgerald removed Head Coach Lindy Ruff from his post and replaced him – on an interim basis – with Travis Green, who had been serving as an Associate Coach on Ruff’s staff this season.
Just over a week ago, following the Devils’ 4-1 loss to the Lightning, Ruff told reporters, “I take full responsibility. You want to win, and we’ve dealt with a lot. Players want to win. I’m responsible for the wins and losses, who gets on the ice, and who doesn’t get on the ice.”
While it’s not uncommon for coaches to claim responsibility for their team’s difficult losses, it felt like something bigger. Ruff sounded like a man who knew the writing was on the wall if things didn’t turn around immediately.
And now, the change has been made.
During his tenure with the Devils Ruff compiled a record of 128-125-28 while also leading New Jersey to its first playoff series victory since 2012. Unfortunately, that playoff victory over the Rangers last Spring is looking more and more like a fluke than the actual start of a long-term sustainable run of success.
Of course, that’s not entirely on Ruff. There’s no denying the Devils have been beset by injuries this season to key players. Dougie Hamilton, who was supposed to quarterback the power-play, has been out since December 1st, while Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes have also missed large chunks of time. And that’s just the tip of the injury iceberg. Plus, the Devils chose not to upgrade their goaltending after a league-average performance last year and watched as their defense got weaker when they traded away Damon Severson and lost Ryan Graves in Free Agency.
But, as Ruff said following the loss to Tampa, “I take full responsibility.” Now it’s up to Travis Green, the one-time Head Coach of the Vancouver Canucks, to try and right the ship in time to grab a playoff spot.
It won’t be easy, but Green certainly has the characteristics you’d want in a Head Coach. According to Mike Johnston (the Vice President/GM/Head Coach of the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks), Green “has all the ingredients you would want in a head coach. He is sound technically and can work well with elite athletes. Overall I would describe him as demanding but fair. I expect the players in New Jersey will respond well to his approach and style.”
New Jersey certainly has its share of “elite athletes.” Plus, it’s not like Green is coming into the situation cold. He has been around the team all season long. The Devils players should already have an idea of what to expect out of Green, so hopefully for New Jersey, the transition period won’t take as long as it would have if Tom Fitzgerald had gone outside the organization for a new (interim) coach.
You never want to see a coach lose his job, but it is an unfortunate cycle in sports and one Ruff has been through before. If he chooses to want to continue to coach I’m sure he’ll get the chance. But, for now, it’s all about looking onward and upwards for the Devils as Travis Green attempts to steer the team to its second consecutive playoff appearance.
