The New Jersey Devils have hired a new general manager in Sunny Mehta, a day after holding exit meetings following a season in which they missed the playoffs. Mehta did not get the title of President of Hockey Operations, but he will have the final say in all hockey decisions. Those decisions will include how to continue with head coach Sheldon Keefe, Nico Hischier’s contract extension, Simon Nemec’s contract extension, and whether Dougie Hamilton will remain a part of the organization.
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As for Sheldon Keefe, during the exit negotiations, he was instructed to handle everything as if he were still the head coach. Keefe wants to be part of the solution in New Jersey going forward.
Sheldon Keefe: “Nothing has changed since we talked last night. Since the season is over, I’m sure there will be a plan here, an opportunity to negotiate, and we’ll see where that goes. I don’t expect anything at the moment, except to continue to do my job, which I was ordered to do, which is to finish the season, have these discussions with the players at the end of the season.
I’m approaching it like any other, and we’ll see where things go from here. But I can tell you that I want to be part of the solution here, and I believe that I can be. I think my experience during my time here, I learned a lot about myself. I learned a lot about this team, most importantly, the players within it and where it needs to go.
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I think I can be a great friend and partner to anyone who comes in here, and I think I have a good sense of the team and where we need to improve on the ice. So between people and systems and tactics and all these kinds of things that go into building a team, I know I’m in a much better position now than when I came in here two seasons ago.
So to that end, I hope that I will have the opportunity, and we will have the enthusiasm to try to stay here, but that is beyond my control. And the organization will take a decision if it seems appropriate.”
So Sheldon Keefe understands that this is a business. He will be part of the evaluation process as Mehta settles into his new role.
Hischier Contract Extension
There wasn’t much to be done about Hischier’s comments about him being a member of the Devils right now. There should be no panic, as Develi has said that he loves being in New Jersey and that he will speak up when a new hire is made.
“I love it in New Jersey, and obviously, I think when we see who’s coming in, I’m sure we’ll talk to each other, and we’ll go from there,” Hischier said.
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This is important to Sunny Mehta. It will be interesting to see how long the deal lasts.
Future Nemec
With Nemec’s departure, we know he was unhappy with the way he was managed last year. Conflicting reports on whether or not he wanted to be traded last season. It looks like the Devils tried to move him this year to get a forward in the top six. He may be open to a change of scenery. But in terms of negotiations, there are none.
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“Simon Nemec says he’d like to sign in New Jersey, but his team hasn’t talked about a contract yet. We’re waiting for a new GM and we know there will be changes this summer.”
It will be interesting to see how Nemec fits into Sunny Mehta’s team building.
One last thing about the New Jersey Devils. Defender Dougie Hamilton declined to speak to the media. Speculation will continue as to whether Hamilton has played his last game as a member of the Devils.
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