Even though yesterday we reported that the Blue Jackets would be offering Ken Hitchcock a front-office position, you knew his name would come up in the conversation for the vacant coaching position in New Jersey. After all, when you think of what coach best personifies the system the Devils have been using for years and years you keep coming back to Ken Hitchcock.
Rich Chere of the Star-Ledger says it’s a logical choice:
It could, in fact, be a perfect fit. Hitchcock’s coaching philosophy is not unlike that which the Devils have adopted for over a decade. He is respected and won a Stanley Cup with the Dallas Stars in 1999, where he coached current Devils captain Jamie Langenbrunner.
“No question John would be a candidate,” Lamoriello said. “No question he did an exceptional job in Lowell this year.
“It was the right decision for him to go there and have a team and see what it’s like to make certain decisions rather than recommend or support. There is no question, with his maturity and growth as a coach, Lowell was very good for him.”