NHL Insider Has Scoop On Lindy Ruff's Future In New Jersey

After an excellent season that ended with a whimper and not a bang, New Jersey Devils head coach Lindy Ruff has an expiring contract, and the team must make a decision on his future.

Without an extension this year, the longtime NHL coach just finished his most successful season by far in New Jersey, going 52-22-8, which brought his three-year mark with the Devils to exactly .500 (98-98-24). 

The Devils handled the New York Rangers to come out of the first round of the playoffs, but the young team was simply no match for the more experienced Carolina Hurricanes and went out in five games in the second round. 

Was it enough for Ruff to get a new deal? 

Friedman says the "working goal" is to have Lindy Ruff return as head coach of the #NJDevils. https://t.co/VFNfuq4Hi7

— Ryan Novozinsky (@ryannovo62) May 15, 2023

According to NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman, he said on his 32 Thoughts podcast that conversations and discussions still need to be had, but "the word I'm getting is that the desire is to work towards it and have Ruff return as head coach."

What this likely means is that assistant Andrew Brunette could very well look to move on to find another head coaching position. All he did in Florida in 2021-22 is lead the Panthers to the President's Trophy after taking over from the deposed Joel Quenneville, coaching them to a 51-18-6 record.  

Many observers would like to see Brunette get another head coaching opportunity, and if it isn't a promotion in New Jersey, then it would quite likely be elsewhere. 

Photo: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports