New Jersey Devils Managing Partner David Blitzer announced, Monday, that general manager and president of hockey operations Tom Fitzgerald will depart the organization effective immediately.
The decision comes just one day after the Devils were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention and marks the end of Fitzgerald’s decade-long tenure with the franchise.
#BREAKING: New Jersey Devils Managing Partner David Blitzer announced today that Tom Fitzgerald will depart the organization.
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) April 6, 2026
In a press release issued by the team, Blitzer thanked Fitzgerald for his years of service but cited a need for a "fresh perspective" to lead the team's talented young core into its next phase.
"Tom has been an integral part of this organization for ten years, helping us navigate a difficult rebuild and assembling a foundation we believe in," Blitzer said. "However, after a disappointing season that fell short of our internal expectations, we feel it is time for new leadership to guide this group to the next level".
Fitzgerald originally joined the Devils as an assistant GM in 2015 before taking over the interim GM role in January 2020 following the firing of Ray Shero. He was named the permanent Executive VP and GM in July 2020 and was further promoted to President of Hockey Operations in January 2024.
“After talking with David Blitzer, it was apparent to everyone that the best course of action is to move on for the benefit of the team,” Fitzgerald said. “I am incredibly appreciative to David, Josh Harris, and the entire New Jersey Devils organization for being a part of my life for the past decade. The Devils are fortunate to have a core of great players, vocal and passionate fans, but most importantly, tremendous people who worked with me toward a common goal. I’ve always said that New Jersey is a hidden gem and I’m proud of the effort that we put in to raise the standard and make it a destination. I look forward to the next step in my hockey career and will always look back fondly on my time with the Devils.”
Under Fitzgerald, the Devils set franchise records for wins (52) and points (112) during the 2022–23 season, defeating the rival New York Rangers in a seven-game first-round series. Despite the high expectations following a massive 2025 offseason, the Devils (38-36-3) struggled with inconsistency throughout the 2025–26 campaign.