In a shocking development, the New Jersey Devils have made the bold decision to fire head coach Lindy Ruff, following a disappointing stretch of performances. The team has struggled to find consistency this season, and despite making significant strides in recent years, they have decided a change was necessary.

In a swift move, the Devils have named Travis Green, the team’s current assistant coach, as interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Green, who had previously served as the head coach of the Vancouver Canucks, will now take the reins of the team as they look to turn their season around and meet their high expectations.

Lindy Ruff had been with the Devils for over four seasons, taking over the coaching duties in 2020. Under his leadership, the Devils experienced both ups and downs. The team showed glimpses of brilliance but often failed to find consistent success, particularly in key games.

While Ruff’s tenure brought notable improvements, including a young, dynamic core and a more competitive team, his firing signals that the Devils’ management is no longer willing to wait for incremental progress. General Manager Tom Fitzgerald and team ownership are clearly expecting more from the Devils, and this decision reflects their desire to ignite the team with a new voice behind the bench.

Travis Green, who has been with the Devils as an assistant coach for the past few seasons, takes over as interim head coach. Known for his offensive-minded approach and his ability to connect with players, Green is expected to bring a fresh perspective to a team that has the talent to compete in the high-powered Metropolitan Division.

Before joining the Devils’ coaching staff, Green was the head coach of the Vancouver Canucks, where he led the team through a rebuilding phase and helped develop some of their younger talent. While he faced challenges with the Canucks, his experience in managing teams in transition could be exactly what the Devils need at this pivotal moment.

The Devils’ slow start to the 2025 season, combined with issues in team defense and inconsistent goaltending, had many wondering when changes would come. While the team boasts one of the most exciting rosters in the league, with young stars like Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier, their inability to perform at the highest level has raised concerns.

As Travis Green steps in as interim head coach, he will have to quickly address these issues and find a way to balance the offensive firepower with improved defensive play. The Devils’ upcoming schedule will be a true test of Green’s ability to spark a turnaround and get this team back into playoff contention.

With Green taking over as the interim coach, all eyes will be on how the Devils perform under his leadership. Depending on the team’s results over the next few weeks, Green could earn the job full-time or the organization may decide to explore other candidates for a long-term solution.

In the meantime, the Devils are in crisis mode, and they need a new direction to avoid falling out of playoff contention early in the season. With a talented roster and high expectations, the future of this franchise hinges on the quick and effective changes Green can implement.

The next chapter for the Devils starts now, and the pressure is on for Travis Green to prove that he’s the right person to lead this team back to prominence.