Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Hitchcock a candidate for Devils coach?

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.

It’s important to note that Lou Lamoriello has stated he has not come anywhere near starting his coaching search, although it’s entirely possible that the job finally goes to AHL coach John MacLean.

“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.”

As much as a great fit that Hitchcock may or may not be in New Jersey, you just get the feeling that perhaps it’s time for some new blood in the coaching ranks. Should the Devils stick with these old school coaches who have struggles with success in the post-lockout NHL, or go with a younger coach with new ideas and goals?