Elliotte Friedman

But I had a feeling it was going to be them first because one of the things that was kind of making its way around the NHL was that

Tom Fitzgerald had asked the Devils for clarity on his future because if they were going to let him go, I think he wanted the opportunity to interview in Nashville where he was the first captain, at least for that job.

And I don't believe that the Devils were going to do that.

I think it was their goal to have the season finish and then make any decision that they were going to make.

Instead, what happened was a couple Saturdays ago, we mentioned on Hockey Night on the headline segment that Toronto had interest in Sonny Mehta.

And they definitely did.

And two days later, they announced that Tom Fitzgerald wouldn't be returning and that they had an open search.

I don't think those two things are a coincidence.

Mehta was going to be a candidate in Toronto.

The Maple Leafs were interested and the Devils wanted to have him back.

And, you know, I think what happened there is that

The Devils were looking at Metta.

They were looking at John Chayka.

And New Jersey didn't want to miss.

They really liked the idea of the local guy who I think – I think that was his first choice.

I think New Jersey was Metta's first choice.

And the Devils looked up and they said –

We've got this guy who knows us.

We've got this guy who we want.

We're not taking any chances here, and we're getting this done.