NHL News: Shakeup in NJ Devils Front Office

End of an era in New Jersey; Lamoriello steps down, Ray Shero hired as new GM 

By Ryan Queler 

For the last 27 years, the New Jersey Devils have remained one of the most consistent and successful teams in all of sports, led by the efforts of general manager Lou Lamoriello.

Last week, the franchise announced that Lamoriello’s term as general manager of the Devils is over, transitioning into a new era for the team, in which Ray Shero will take over Lamoriello’s duties.

“Lou is 72 years old, and I think all Devils fans knew this day was quickly approaching, especially after the lack of success the franchise has endured since the 2012 Stanley Cup run. After looking back to the championship teams that Lamoriello constructed in 1995, 2000, and 2003, it really makes you appreciate what he has done for this franchise,” said Ken Betzlach, a lifelong New Jersey Devils fan.

Although he will not handle the general manager duties anymore, Lamoriello still figures to have a huge voice and important role with the organization, as he will remain the team president of hockey operations.

Lamoriello indicated that this change was fully his decision, “with 100 percent support of ownership – Mr. Josh Harris and Mr. David Blitzer.” He also was completely supportive and confident with Ray Shero taking on the responsibilities of becoming the next general manager of the Devils, where winning has always remained the main priority under Lamoriello’s guidance.

“I think we have to be realistic in life in different areas. We have to be honest and I think right now this is a perfect time, we’ve got a person at a perfect age with great experience that has been in a couple of different organizations, who has had a year off and who has had a chance to take a step back to look at what went wrong, where, what went right and what would I do differently? I think we are going to be the beneficiary of that,” said Lamoriello.

Shero, 53, and the former Pittsburgh Penguins general manager, led his former team to a Stanley Cup victory in 2009. He served as the Penguins general manager from 2006-2014, and was relieved of his duties following a second round playoff loss to the New York Rangers in 2014. 

As team president, Lamoriello remains focused on bringing a fourth Stanley Cup to New Jersey, and knows that this will only occur with all of management being on the same page: “Ray’s role will be as general manager and he will have the powers that do come with that position. I certainly know that type of autonomy is needed to do the job and he will have that. I will oversee the operations. Ray will report to me as well, certainly, as ownership like we all do and we will work together.”

After not reaching the playoffs since losing in the Stanley Cup Finals in 2012, Shero realizes that his new team has a lot of work to be done in order to get back to the playoffs, but stated, “It’s certainly an opportunity that I was not going to turn down. I’m really looking forward to it and having met with Josh and David and the commitment and working with the three of them is really a great opportunity for me and my family.”

One of the more interesting storylines and decisions Shero will need to make this offseason for New Jersey will be their search to hire a head coach. After firing former head coach Peter Deboer mid-season, the Devils went with a very unconventional approach to filling his role, as Lou Lamoriello, Scott Stevens, and Adam Oates shared the head coaching duties.

With the hiring of Shero, fans have immediately speculated that the Devils should aim to hire Dan Bylsma, the former Pittsburgh Penguins head coach who enjoyed much success with Shero during their tenure together.

“Not to say that Stevens and Oates didn’t do a good job taking over mid-season in less than ideal circumstances, but I think this team needs a more experienced head coach to lead a very young team. Bylsma, who has won a Stanley Cup before enforces a defense-first style that would seem to be a great fit in New Jersey. It will be interesting to see who Shero hires, and I am excited for him to take over the team,” said Mike Harris, a Devils supporter since 1982.