The New Jersey Devils fired head coach Lindy Ruff amidst a disappointing season on Monday, the team announced.
Travis Green was named as interim head coach.
After not only reaching the post-season last year, but also advancing to the second round after a series victory against the rival New York Rangers, the Devils have fallen well short of expectations, sitting at a 30-27-4 record and eight points back of the final wild-card spot.
Ruff has been on the hot seat before when fans at the Prudential Centre chanted “Fire Lindy!” at the start of last season. Pressure eased as the Devils went on to make the playoffs for the first time in four years, but as the team tries to make up points in a crowded Metropolitan Division, the 26-year coaching veteran is feeling the heat once more.
When asked about the Devils’ subpar season, Ruff told reporters that he takes “full responsibility.”
“I take full responsibility, you want to win. We’ve dealt with a lot. Players want to win. I’m responsible for the wins and losses, who gets on the ice and who doesn’t get on the ice,” Ruff said after the team’s 4-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Feb. 26.
Ruff took over head coaching duties in the 2020 off-season and was signed to a multi-year contract extension in Oct. 2023.
