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Sunny Mehta named new General Manager of Devils originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New Jersey Devils have hired Sunny Mehta to become their sixth general manager in team history.
The announcement was made on the evening of April 16, with Mehta to join the Devils following spending six seasons with the Florida Panthers. In those last three years, he served as assistant general manager and head of analytics. Mehta's welcome to New Jersey comes after the Devils parted ways with then- General Manager Tom Fitzgerald on April 6, who served in that role since Jan. of 2020. This change comes as the Devils have missed the playoffs for four straight seasons until the 2022-23 campaign, and are once again out of playoff contention for the ongoing season.
Per the Devils release, Mehta returns to the organization where he first started his NHL management career. He was part of the first wave of analytics-focused executives who joined front offices and established the NHL’s first full-time analytics department when he was named as Director of Hockey Analytics in 2014.
Mehta spent four seasons in New Jersey, 2014-15 to 2017-18, under then-Devils’ President/General Manager Lou Lamoriello and, later, Ray Shero.
New Jersey Managing Partner David Blitzer said while they met with many qualified candidates, Mehta was the right man for the job.
"I'm thrilled to welcome Sunny and his wife, Nicole, back home to New Jersey,” said Blitzer. “We quickly realized this job was in high demand and were incredibly fortunate to meet with many qualified candidates. Sunny’s familiarity with our organization and experience with a two-time Stanley Cup-winning team are characteristics that will serve as a foundation for future success. Our expectations are to be a perennial playoff team and compete for the Stanley Cup, and I look forward to Sunny leading us there.”
New General Manager announced for New Jersey Devils
Mehta, 48, received his master’s degree in data science from City University of New York. He played varsity hockey for Ramapo High School in Franklin Lakes, NJ.
Mehta is known for bringing a data-centric and process-oriented vision to support the team in scouting, draft preparation, and player evaluation. His NHL front-office experience also includes consulting for the Washington Capitals during the 2019-20 season and the Phoenix Coyotes in 2010-11 — in addition to his previously mentioned time with the Panthers.
The new GM said this job represents a dream coming true.
“This is a dream come true for a New Jersey kid, who grew up watching Devils’ practices just 20 minutes away in Totowa,” said Mehta. “After meeting with David Blitzer, Josh Harris, Bob Myers, and other members of the organization, I knew this was the place I wanted to be. Thank you to Vinnie Viola, Bill Zito and the entire Florida Panthers organization for a fantastic six years and for the opportunity to take the next step in my professional career. New Jersey has a tremendous young core that will be looking to get back to being a contender, a complement of young assets and draft picks, and a passionate fan base hungry for success. I was fortunate enough to watch the New Jersey Devils raise three Stanley Cups and am excited to get to work to return to that level.”
Mike Gillis, Doug Armstrong and Mehta were all previously named as potential replacements for Fitzgerald.
New Jersey wrapped up their 2025-26 season with a 5-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings in the Devils' last game of the regular-season.
MORE:What to know on the Devils moving on from Tom Fitzgerald, player reactions
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