Devils' Playoff Miss, Fitzgerald's Firing: What's Next?

0:00It's April 8th. This is NHL News today, your AI-powered team coverage. The New Jersey Devils are officially out of the playoffs after a 5-1 beat down by the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday. That's their second miss in four seasons in 12-time in 16 years. Adding insult to injury, General Manager Tom Fitzgerald got the boot on Monday after another disappointing year. Earlier this season, they ripped off an 8-game win streak, outscoring foes 32-16. With the offense tanked hard, averaging just 2.76 goals per game, 6 worse than the league. Powerplay dropped to 13th at 22.1%. Pinnelty killed to 16th at 79.2% and defense slipped, 2, allowing 3.05 goals against. Fans and analysts are calling it chronic under-achievement from a core that's been hyped since finishing third overall three years back. Stars like Jack Hughes, missed chunks with injuries. Jesper Brat and Nico Hishier slowed down, and goalie Jacob Markstrom cratered to an

1:01end. 8-8-3% is from 900 last year. Now the new GM steps into nearly 12.2 million in cap space, but free agents like Alex Touch or Darren Raddish won't fix the mess alone. Acquisitions like Timo Meyer and Brett Pessi flopped, so whispers are growing for a blockbuster trade shaking the core, maybe moving Dawson Mercer too. Land a real needle mover. Bottom line, this squad look lifeless in stretches like that 7-8 regulation skid bearing their hopes. Without bold surgery, expect more of the same stale script next fall.