Was Tom Fitzgerald's Job Ever in Jeopardy?...Analyzing His Tenure So Far With The Devils

[@WaltBTB]

Here's the Fitzgerald hate in a nutshell: "Why doesn't he JUST go and get (insert whatever position or player needed/wanted)? Why isn't he doing anything?" Folks tend to not grasp that just because you WANT something, it doesn't mean the other GMs are going to just make a deal in your favor and it doesn't mean a player is just going to sign to whatever contract you offer. Fitz, like any GM, doesn't have the ability to force acquisitions to happen. It's a two way street every time and just because a deal doesn't get made, it doesn't mean the effort isn't being made. Did he screw up by not addressing the goalie issue earlier? Maybe, but also considering that there were other factors at play, such as the goalies available weren't really an upgrade or weren't willing to waive a NTC, or GMs simply weren't going to make a trade without NJ having to give up an unreasonable stack of assets. Blaming Fitzgerald for all the woes is ridiculous but fans always need a scapegoat and easy answers that don't exist.

[@HighPlainsDrifter53]

Fitz is doing fine. At some point you need the players and coaches to get it done. Dougie needs to play defense, jack needs to get stronger,a and they all need to play tougher. But I'll always wonder what would've happened if we hired Andrew Burnett as our HC

[@reyrage15]

I do think if the summer went by and he didn’t get the “big game” goalie he spoke about AND we weren’t on track to make the playoffs by January/February, AND no moves were made again mid season to improve the club, his seat would be very warm. But it would have to be another perfect storm otherwise I don’t think he was necessarily close to being fired. I really like the Keefe hire and think he should be a good fit for the team we have to be successful and Markstrom is solid and experienced enough to take the majority of goalie starts, so so far so good. Still a lot of work to in trade/FA this summer but the most important items are already checked off. As an aside, I hope that we bring back Season one and Hattaka to be the extra call ups on D. I thought they were both solid and would be good for that role with us

[@michaelmignone5869]

Fitz gets too much hate imo. I don't think it was unreasonable to run it back with vanacek and schmid expecting at least one to be close to how they were the year before. When the wheels fell off last season, it's difficult to address goalies in season without getting taken to the cleaners, i think it was a better move to stand firm vs giving up important assetts.

[@ARusso22TV]

Tbh should’ve just gave helly 8.5 and have kakko as our back up, paying 6.2 for older goalies what’s another 3 mill for long term tbh

[@jamesmikelskasjr.64]

I really liked what you said today but I would rather have Kappo kahkonen over jake Allen. Let me know if you agree please. And thanks for the awesome job you do

[@1verge1]

Yea i cant stand the fitz hate. Its lazy and usually ignorant, imo. You laid it out pretty well here so...

[@ValS781]

What has Fitzgerald done during his 4 years tenure? Nothing!