Devils Part Ways With Ruff After Season Spirals

The New Jersey Devils made a significant change behind the bench Monday, relieving Lindy Ruff of his head coaching duties and naming associate coach Travis Green as interim replacement. The move came after the Devils fell to the Los Angeles Kings 5-1, a loss that epitomized a disappointing campaign that left the Metropolitan Division club out of playoff contention. General Manager Tom Fitzgerald announced the decision, acknowledging that the team needed a fresh approach to salvage the remainder of the season.

Ruff, 64, departs after compiling a 128-125-28 record over three-plus seasons and 281 regular-season games with the organization. The timing of the termination proved particularly striking given that the Devils had recently extended Ruff's contract, only to watch the season deteriorate as the team failed to build on last year's playoff success. The coaching change marked the seventh made across the NHL this season, underscoring the league-wide pressure to make midseason adjustments when teams falter.

Green, who previously served as head coach of the Vancouver Canucks, brings experience and a fresh perspective to a struggling roster. As an assistant under Ruff, Green had been embedded in the Devils' system and coaching philosophy, positioning him to provide stability during the transition while potentially implementing strategic shifts. The interim designation leaves open the possibility of either retaining Green long-term or seeking a permanent replacement in the offseason, depending on how the team finishes the 2023-24 season.