Locked On Devils - Daily Podcast On The New Jersey Devils

The episode, hosted by Zach Berman, dives into a highly anticipated New Jersey Devils offseason, described as one of the most consequential in franchise history. Zach Berman welcomes JP Gambatese to discuss initial impressions of the Devils’ new front office hires, most notably praising the appointments of Sunny Mehta and Braden Birch, both with strong reputations from the Florida Panthers organization. The conversation highlights optimism around Mehta’s modern approach and Birch’s cap management expertise, with speculation about potential further additions from successful teams like Florida, including Bryan McCabe. Attention then shifts to the coaching situation. Zach Berman and JP Gam...

Charlie Coyle's recent contract extension with the Columbus Blue Jackets—a six-year deal at $6 million per year despite Coyle being 34—serves as a warning sign for the New Jersey Devils about the dangers of overpaying in free agency. Zach Berman urges the Devils to steer clear of such costly contracts when shopping for players in 2026, emphasizing that the team is in a much better position now with a savvy new general manager leading their front office restructuring. The landscape of NHL management is also shifting, with news about potential GM hires in Nashville and Vancouver signaling wider changes—but Zach Berman...

Zach Berman opened the episode by announcing that New Jersey Devils General Manager Sunny Mehta made his first major hire of the offseason, bringing in Braden Birch as Assistant General Manager and as General Manager of the Utica Comets, the Devils’ AHL affiliate. This move marks the beginning of Mehta’s efforts to strengthen the Devils’ front office, starting by recruiting talent from his previous organization, the Florida Panthers, where Birch played a pivotal role in their recent Stanley Cup successes. In detailing Birch’s background, Zach Berman highlighted his 12-year tenure with the Panthers, most recently as Director of Hockey O...

Zach Berman opens the episode discussing reports that new New Jersey Devils GM Sonny Mehta is looking to bring two key front office figures from his former employer, the Florida Panthers—Bryan McCabe and Braden Birch—into the Devils organization. Zach Berman frames this as an exciting opportunity for New Jersey, particularly given the team's struggles with player development and cap management in recent years. McCabe is praised for his work as Florida's director of player development, having played a key role with several successful Panthers defensemen, while Birch is credited for his expertise in cap management and hockey operations. The...

The episode, hosted by Zach Berman, centers on the New Jersey Devils' position in the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft after not moving up in the lottery and remaining with the 12th overall pick. Zach Berman expresses frustration at the Devils’ frequent absence from playoff contention and the team’s repeated reliance on the draft lottery for hope, marking this as their 11th lottery appearance in 14 seasons since the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals. He notes that while the lottery didn’t yield a major setback, as with the Vancouver Canucks, it is still disappointing for fans who want to see progress.

A si...

Chuck Fletcher and Dan McKinnon have been fired from the New Jersey Devils organization as part of significant changes to the team's front office, a move that Zach Berman describes as long overdue at 00:12:49. Fletcher, who served as Senior Advisor to the President, Hockey Operations and General Manager, is criticized by Zach Berman for carrying over his poor front office track record from the Philadelphia Flyers, with both him and McKinnon being linked to the Devils’ lackluster player development and questionable contract decisions. McKinnon, who managed the Devils’ AHL affiliate, Utica Comets, is also noted for a decade of underwhelming prosp...

Zach Berman opened the episode by acknowledging the season as one of the most disappointing in New Jersey Devils franchise history, characterized by both rare moments of happiness and several infuriating lows. He began with an overview of current league playoff matchups, reflecting on which teams Devils fans might root for in the absence of their own team and voicing frustration that it “should have been us” advancing, as the Devils struggled mightily this year—including being swept by the Philadelphia Flyers. Transitioning into the season’s high points, Zach Berman identified Jack Hughes’ golden goal for Team USA at the 2026 W...

The New Jersey Devils have initiated preliminary contract extension discussions with their captain, Nico Hischier, who is entering the final year of his current deal. Zach Berman explains that new general manager Sunny Mehta is proactively reaching out to Hischier’s camp, with both sides indicating a clear interest in keeping the captain in New Jersey for the long term. The most commonly predicted contract figure is around 8 years, $88 million (an $11 million AAV), putting Hischier among the league’s top-paid two-way centers as the NHL’s salary cap rises. Zach Berman underscores that locking in Hischier—an irreplaceable leader who has been...

In this episode, Zach Berman offers an enthusiastic and detailed analysis of Sunny Mehta’s introduction as the new General Manager of the New Jersey Devils, following his impressive opening press conference. Key Takeaways * Press Conference Performance * Zach Berman describes Sunny Mehta's opening presser as about as close to a "grand slam" as an opening press conference can get, praising Mehta’s clarity, insight, and energy 00:01:09. * Cautions that, while exciting, a press conference is only words—"actions speak louder than words" 00:01:47. * Management Philosophy * Mehta did not obsess over winning the Stanley Cup immediately, instead emphasizing building the team methodically "brick by brick...

Zach Berman opened the episode by reflecting on the excitement surrounding the Buffalo Sabres' dramatic playoff win, expressing happiness for Lindy Ruff and comparing the different dynamics of this year's NHL playoffs from a Devils fan perspective. He noted the odd feeling of not having the Rangers as a direct rival in the playoffs and discussed general playoff rivalries and rooting interests among Devils fans, including the dislike for teams like the Hurricanes, Maple Leafs, and Islanders, and a collective hope that certain playoff outcomes will impact other teams' roster decisions 02:00. The focus then shifted to the Utica Comets, the...

Zach Berman opens the episode by addressing the initial excitement around the New Jersey Devils hiring Sonny Mehta as their new general manager. Despite Mehta being a highly desired candidate and the Devils job seen as the most attractive GM position available, Zach Berman stresses that the work ahead will be significantly more challenging than fans might hope. He explains that former GM Tom Fitzgerald left the organization in a difficult state, with significant structural, contractual, and cultural obstacles that won’t be solved quickly or easily 00:00:08. He discusses insights from Elliotte Friedman’s recent reporting, including behind-the-scenes details of the...

In the episode "A Sunny Day In Hell: New Jersey Devils GET THEIR GUY: Land Sunny Mehta as GM," Zach Berman expresses excitement and relief as the New Jersey Devils secure Sunny Mehta as their new general manager. Zach Berman emphasizes that this hire marks a significant turning point for the franchise, especially after concerns that the Devils might come up short in their GM search. He details how Mehta was the team’s clear top choice and notes the speed and decisiveness of the Devils’ management and ownership—something not seen in recent organizational history. Zach Berman recounts Mehta’s intrig...

The episode opens with Zach Berman expressing relief that the challenging 2025-2026 New Jersey Devils season has finally ended, describing it as one of the most disappointing in franchise history relative to expectations. He briefly mentions the final game against Boston—a 4-0 loss that encapsulated the team’s struggles and lack of motivation, particularly highlighting the failure of goaltender Nico Daws to capitalize on his opportunity in net. Zach Berman uses the loss as a launching point to discuss a deeper organizational flaw: the inability to effectively develop goaltending talent, resulting in a perpetual cycle of failed veteran acquisitions and...

Zach Berman kicked off the episode reflecting on the end of the New Jersey Devils' "Jersey Jersey" alternate sweater era and previewed two games to cover, as well as speculating about a floated Nico Hischier for Dylan Larkin trade. He attended a Flames game in Calgary, noting ex-Devils' performances, and expressed frustration at former goalie Vitek Vanecek’s play, suggesting it contributed to Lindy Ruff’s firing. The episode’s context was set as a lighthearted yet cathartic conclusion to a rough Devils season, with emphasis on the team’s need for change and a cultural reset. He analyzed the merits o...

Zach Berman dives into the New Jersey Devils' ongoing search for a new general manager, with Sunny Mehta emerging as the top target. The Devils face stiff competition from the Toronto Maple Leafs, who are also interested in Mehta. The GM search is being overseen primarily by David Blitzer and Bob Myers, not Martin Brodeur, although Brodeur still holds some influence in the organization. Zach Berman emphasizes the importance of landing their first-choice candidate, especially after former GM Tom Fitzgerald was fired for consistently finishing second in key acquisition races, and stresses that ownership shouldn't hesitate to spend whatever it...

Zach Berman opens the episode by noting the New Jersey Devils have fired GM Tom Fitzgerald and are starting their search for a new general manager and president of hockey operations (POHO) 00:01:24. He highlights Sunny Mehta as the top GM candidate, emphasizing Mehta’s strong analytics background, prior experience with the Devils, and recent success helping build the Florida Panthers. Zach Berman discusses the excitement around Mehta but also expresses caution, given Mehta has never been an NHL GM, and suggests Devils fans shouldn’t be overly disheartened if Mehta isn’t hired 00:05:47. Beyond Mehta, Zach Berman lists other promising GM can...

The New Jersey Devils have been officially eliminated from playoff contention, marking a merciful end to a disastrous season. Zach Berman emphasized at 00:00:38 that, although mathematically four games remain, the combination of poor performances and external results sealed the Devils' fate. Key factors included underwhelming decisions by former GM Tom Fitzgerald, whose lack of urgency at the trade deadline and questionable contract extensions—especially that of goaltender Jacob Markstrom—set the stage for failure. Zach Berman argued that missing the playoffs might be a blessing in disguise, forcing ownership to finally address deep-rooted systemic issues and reevaluate leadership both in the...

Zach Berman began the live broadcast by expressing his surprise and excitement at the news that Tom Fitzgerald is no longer part of the New Jersey Devils organization, emphasizing the monumental nature of the moment for Devils fans at 00:00:22. He cited the official team statement by managing partner David Blitzer, which described Fitzgerald's departure as a mutual decision after a thoughtful conversation. Fitzgerald reflected positively on his tenure, expressing gratitude for his time with the Devils and optimism for the team's core of talented players. Blitzer acknowledged the fans’ frustration with the team’s underperformance and stressed the importance of t...

Zach Berman opens with frustration about the New Jersey Devils' recent high-level play, lamenting that this up-tempo, high-scoring style emerged far too late in the season to rescue their playoff hopes. He points out that the Devils decisively beat the Washington Capitals, effectively ending the Capitals' playoff chances and making a statement win with a seven-goal outburst, but questions why this form wasn't present all year, attributing blame to coaching and management decisions that emphasized the wrong style of play and failed to adapt earlier, alongside questionable personnel moves and lack of injury contingency 00:00:00–00:08:24. He rejects common fan and organizational exc...

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Zach Berman begins by expressing his frustration with the New Jersey Devils’ ownership and their perennial struggles against the Carolina Hurricanes, particularly in Raleigh. He sets the scene for an episode recapping another predictable loss for the Devils, where they managed only one meaningful goal, extending a multi-year losing streak in Carolina. Zach Berman details the game’s progression, highlighting initial hope after the Devils scored first, only to be undone by typical mistakes—bad defense, inability to clear the zone, and frequent failures on special teams—all culminating in a lopsided 5-2 defeat, with the final Devils goal coming in garba...

The New Jersey Devils have recently returned to winning form, beating strong teams on the road, but a looming matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh threatens to halt their momentum. According to Zach Berman, the Devils historically struggle against Carolina, whose aggressive Rod Brind'amour system consistently exposes New Jersey’s weaknesses, both in the regular season and playoffs. The Hurricanes seem to trigger frustration and poor performance, with the Devils unable to win a game in Raleigh since January 2023, and previous encounters marked by embarrassing losses and organizational self-doubt (06:58, 14:33). Despite the Hurricanes not being an unbeatable powerhouse—they have lost...

The episode opens with Zach Berman reflecting on the New Jersey Devils' recent winning streak, including a notable victory over the Nashville Predators. Despite the excitement of these wins and the strong March record, Zach Berman expresses conflicted feelings, questioning whether these late-season successes are truly beneficial for the team's long-term future. He argues that while winning is enjoyable in the moment, it doesn't meaningfully improve their playoff chances given their position in the standings, and may actually prevent needed organizational accountability and change. Throughout the episode, Zach Berman laments the "mushy middle" fate that can plague teams unwilling to...

The episode opens with Zach Berman expressing his skepticism about the New Jersey Devils' recent winning streak, which had come mostly against weaker teams. He sets the stage by stating he wouldn’t be convinced of this team’s progress until they beat a genuinely strong opponent. The Devils did exactly that, stunning the Dallas Stars—one of the top teams in the league—with a 6-4 victory on the road. Zach Berman highlights how the Devils exploded with four goals in the first period, including standout performances from Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, and Connor Brown, and notes that their offensiv...

On this episode of Locked on Devils, Zach Berman kicks things off with a lively recap of his recent visit to Edmonton to watch an Oilers game. He’s candid about his lackluster impression of the city and its amenities, but is blown away by Rogers Place’s atmosphere, comparing it favorably to his experiences at other NHL arenas. He notes the outstanding fan engagement, music, and arena energy, highlighting the contrast with the Devils’ home environment at the Prudential Center, which he feels suffers from neglect by ownership.

The show then shifts focus to previewing the upcomi...

The episode centers on the New Jersey Devils' recent loss to the Washington Capitals, a game that Zach Berman describes as "fine," noting the primary difference was the superior performance of the Capitals’ goalie, Logan Thompson. The mood around the game was nonchalant, with Zach Berman suggesting it might have been better for the Devils to lose in order to reinforce the need for organizational change given their distance from a playoff spot. He reflects on how the team's elimination from realistic playoff contention came not with a collapse, but rather a standard loss, highlighting ongoing frustration with the De...

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In this episode of Locked On Devils, Zach Berman begins by highlighting the remarkable transformation of Paul Cotter, a generally average player who seems to become a star during breakaways or shootouts—a timely focus since Cotter just clinched an overtime victory for the New Jersey Devils against the Boston Bruins. The show opens with a sense of excitement mixed with exasperation, as Zach Berman reflects on the ongoing frustrations of being a Devils fan this season, only briefly lifted by the drama of the big win. Shifting away from the game itself, Zach Berman dives into behind-the-scenes organization news, re...

In this episode of Locked On Devils, Zach Berman recaps an unexpectedly entertaining New Jersey Devils win over the Los Angeles Kings, with the Devils securing a 6-4 victory. He highlights the offensive outburst—remarking on the excitement and frustration that have come with recent Devils games, particularly since the Olympics. Despite the energetic performance and six different goals (and “six woos” in celebration), Zach Berman points out that the result does little to improve the team’s bleak playoff hopes. He delivers a play-by-play of the game, notably spotlighting standout plays from Nico Hischier and an especially dazzling goal by Arsen...

In this episode of Locked On Devils, Zach Berman opens by satirically investigating the "disappearance" of Jake Allen, the New Jersey Devils’ goalie who’s been notably absent from recent games, despite no official reports of injury or other issues. Instead, Sheldon Keefe has been repeatedly starting Jacob Markstrom, who has now played six consecutive games—including two back-to-backs within one week. Zach Berman finds this pattern highly unusual and points toward internal pressure, suggesting that GM Tom Fitzgerald might be forcing Keefe’s hand to justify a contract extension given to Markstrom, possibly as a move to salvage his own job...

In this episode, Zach Berman reflects on the New Jersey Devils’ disappointing 3-0 loss to the Detroit Red Wings, putting a witty spin on the recap by referencing Eminem’s "Lose Yourself" and the fact that Detroit is the rapper's hometown. He acknowledges that the loss effectively ended any hopes for a playoff run, and admits he was getting comfortable recapping wins after the team had shown flashes of potential against weaker opponents. Despite the team’s recent struggles, Zach Berman believes the talent on the roster warrants more optimism than the current results and front office turmoil suggest, calling for a...

In this episode of Locked On Devils, Zach Berman delivers an impassioned reaction to the New Jersey Devils standing pat at the NHL trade deadline. He begins by expressing the collective frustration of the fanbase, noting that the Devils neither acquired nor traded any players, aside from losing Luke Glendening on waivers. Despite the disastrous season and the team being well out of playoff contention, Zach Berman contends that making no moves might have been preferable to the risk of further damaging the roster through ill-advised trades, especially given the questionable decisions made by other league GMs. A significant portion...

In this episode of Locked On Devils, Zach Berman delivers an impassioned reaction to the New Jersey Devils standing pat at the NHL trade deadline. He begins by expressing the collective frustration of the fanbase, noting that the Devils neither acquired nor traded any players, aside from losing Luke Glendening on waivers. Despite the disastrous season and the team being well out of playoff contention, Zach Berman contends that making no moves might have been preferable to the risk of further damaging the roster through ill-advised trades, especially given the questionable decisions made by other league GMs. A significant portion...

In this episode, Zach Berman covers an unexpectedly exciting New Jersey Devils victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs, highlighting just how rare and memorable the moment was—the Devils hadn't won at home against the Leafs since 2018. While the game itself was fun, with lots of action and the Devils handily outshooting Toronto, Zach Berman expresses reservations about what these recent wins mean for the team, especially with the trade deadline looming and concerns about the decisions of GM Tom Fitzgerald. Throughout the recording, Zach Berman critiques several player performances, including Simon Nemec’s rough outing and Jacob Markstrom’s shaky...

The episode opens with Zach Berman discussing the swirl of trade rumors ahead of the NHL trade deadline, particularly focusing on the New Jersey Devils' situation. He notes how nearly every Devils defenseman—except for a few key players like Luke Hughes, Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Timo Meier, and Jesper Bratt—has been mentioned as potential trade bait. Zach Berman expresses skepticism about General Manager Tom Fitzgerald's ability to navigate the deadline successfully, hinting at rumors that Fitzgerald may not be fired and lamenting the uncertainty and lack of trust in current management decisions. Moving on, Zach Berman recaps the Devi...

Zach Berman opens the show with the surprising news that the New Jersey Devils are already looking to trade their recent acquisition, Nick Bjugstad, as reported by Chris Johnston of The Athletic. This sparks confusion given that the Devils just added Bjugstad, who is under contract for another year at a reasonable $1.5 million. Zach Berman questions the overall direction of the franchise, highlighting the lack of consistent strategy in management’s decision-making, and voicing frustration over Tom Fitzgerald’s ongoing role as GM despite mounting criticism and the team's faltering performance. The discussion shifts to the recent performance of the Devi...

In this bonus episode, Zach Berman breaks down the New Jersey Devils’ defensive roster as the NHL trade deadline approaches, focusing on potential moves and long-term implications. He starts by reviewing which current defensemen are safe from being traded—highlighting Luke Hughes, Brett Pesci, and Jonathan Kovacevic—and emphasizes their contractual security and importance to the team’s future. Simone Nemec’s situation is mentioned as a big decision looming for management, especially since he’s an RFA this summer and the Devils’ GM spot is uncertain.

The discussion moves to Jonas Siegenthaler, whose disappointing performance this season might m...

In this episode, Zach Berman dives into the New Jersey Devils’ trade deadline scenario, highlighting the uncertainty and anticipation surrounding the team’s direction as they’re currently 11 points out of playoff contention. He notes that this is one of the most significant trade deadlines in recent history for the Devils, with insiders unsure if the team will buy or sell. Based on their standings and roster situation, Zach Berman leans toward the Devils becoming sellers, focusing on which forwards could be dealt and what potential returns they might bring.

He discusses several key players on the roster...

In this bonus episode, Zach Berman dives into a painful January and February 2026 for New Jersey Devils fans, recapping the gloom of a season gone sour. The episode opens with Zach Berman acknowledging the high hopes the team once held, only to see those ambitions unravel as the months progressed. Early brief moments of promise, such as back-to-back wins against Utah and a signature victory in Columbus, are overshadowed by embarrassing defeats, most notably a devastating 9-0 loss to the Islanders and repeated failures to hold leads or compete well in third periods.

The rollercoaster continued as...

In this episode, Zach Berman breaks down the New Jersey Devils' recent win over the St. Louis Blues, a game which, despite the positive result, feels bittersweet for Devils fans. The team went into St. Louis and played arguably their best game of the month, winning 3-1 and snapping a notably poor stretch. Zach Berman points out that while it’s nice to see the Devils victorious, any wins at this stage only worsen their draft lottery odds, putting them further behind in the race for top prospects, a fact underscored by his tongue-in-cheek visit to Tankathon.

Th...