Sunny Mehta was named general manager of the Latest Jersey Devils on Thursday, replacing Tom Fitzgerald who was fired on April 6.
The 48-year-old spent six seasons with the Florida Panthers, including the last three as assistant general manager and head of analytics, during which the team won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2024 and 2025.
Mehta previously worked for the Devils from 2014 to 2018 as director of hockey analytics under GMs Lou Lamoriello and Ray Shero, marking his return to the organization where he began his NHL front-office career.
His appointment comes as the Devils seek to rebuild after missing the playoffs this season with a 42-37-3 record, finishing seventh in the Metropolitan Division.
The team has not qualified for the playoffs consistently since the 2012 Stanley Cup Final loss, making the playoffs only three times since then (2018, 2023, 2025) and winning just one series in that span.
Devils managing partner David Blitzer emphasized Mehta’s familiarity with the organization and his experience with a two-time Stanley Cup-winning team as key factors in the hiring decision.
Mehta, a New Jersey native who grew up watching Devils practices in Totowa, described the role as a dream come true and pointed to the team’s young core—including Jack Hughes, Luke Hughes, Jesper Bratt, and Simon Nemec—as a foundation for future success.
The Devils face key decisions this summer, including whether to offer captain Nico Hischier a contract extension and how to allocate approximately $12.18 million in projected salary cap space.
While the rest of the hockey operations department and coaching staff, including head coach Sheldon Keefe, remain under evaluation, Mehta will have full authority over all hockey operations decisions.
Fitzgerald, who was ousted after the playoff miss, is now a candidate for the Nashville Predators’ general manager position.
Mehta’s background includes early roles as a consultant with the Phoenix Coyotes in 2010-11 and a consulting stint with the Washington Capitals in 2019-20 before joining the Panthers.
He was part of the first wave of analytics-focused executives in the NHL, helping establish the league’s first full-time analytics department when he joined the Devils in 2014.
His experience with the Panthers included serving as vice president of hockey strategy and intelligence upon joining in 2020 before being promoted to assistant GM and head of analytics.
What does Mehta’s hiring signal about the Devils’ future direction?
The hiring signals a return to the analytics-driven approach that defined the Devils’ early 2010s success, combining Mehta’s recent Stanley Cup-winning experience with the Panthers and his prior tenure in New Jersey to rebuild a consistent contender.
How does Mehta’s background address the team’s recent struggles?
His experience with back-to-back Stanley Cup-winning teams provides a proven model for sustaining success, which the Devils have lacked since their 2012 Final appearance, having made the playoffs only sporadically since then.
What immediate challenges will Mehta face in his new role?
Mehta must navigate key roster decisions, including Nico Hischier’s contract extension and the allocation of $12.18 million in salary cap space, while overseeing the evaluation of the coaching staff and hockey operations department.
Why is Mehta’s local background significant for the Devils’ organization?
As a New Jersey native who grew up watching the team in Totowa, his personal connection to the franchise may strengthen his commitment to restoring the Devils to their former stature as a three-time Stanley Cup champion.
