The New Jersey Devils reportedly did a large search after firing Lindy Ruff in 2024 and finishing the season with Travis Green as the interim head coach. While Sheldon Keefe was always their top choice, one of their other options is currently proving to be a headache for his current team.
During the 2024 offseason, the New Jersey Devils conducted an extensive search for a new head coach. General manager Tom Fitzgerald needed to find a replacement for Lindy Ruff, who had been dismissed, and interim coach Travis Green was initially seen as a frontrunner. Reports also linked the Devils to several other names, including former Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft, Denver University’s David Carle, and franchise icon Jay Pandolfo.
Fitzgerald later revealed he spoke with as many as 10 candidates before ultimately hiring Sheldon Keefe. Keefe only became an option late in the process, after the Toronto Maple Leafs parted ways with him following their Game 7 loss to the Boston Bruins in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Once Sheldon Keefe became available, he quickly emerged as the frontrunner for the Devils’ vacancy. He checked all the boxes for what New Jersey needed — an experienced coach capable of guiding a team that had moved past its “young and developing” phase. Taking a gamble on an inexperienced or developmental coach no longer fit the organization’s timeline.
That didn’t stop speculation, though. Some believed GM Tom Fitzgerald may have at least considered younger candidates before settling on Keefe. Among those often mentioned was Washington Capitals assistant coach Mitch Love, a former AHL head coach who had earned recognition as Coach of the Year while leading Calgary’s affiliate. Love had completed a strong first season with the Capitals and was set to return under Spencer Carbery for year two.
While Love was still early in his coaching career — too soon to seriously contend for the Devils’ job — Fitzgerald’s comments suggested it wouldn’t have been surprising if he had at least explored the option. After Washington’s surprising success last season, Love was in the mix for several head coaching openings, including Boston and Pittsburgh, and many expected it was only a matter of time before he landed a top job.
But now, circumstances have changed. Instead of taking a step forward, Love has been forced to step away from the game, at least for the time being.
It’s one thing for an assistant coach to be caught up in a scandal right before training camp, but it’s an entirely different scenario when it involves the head coach. In Love’s case, the reported issue dates back to before he joined the Capitals in 2023 — well before the Devils made their coaching hire in 2024.
While Love once played for the Albany River Rats, that remains his only real connection to the Devils.
For New Jersey, this is a controversy they don’t have to face. Washington, however, is left dealing with the fallout and potential distraction. The Devils couldn’t have predicted this situation would surface, but in hindsight, they can certainly be relieved they steered clear of it.
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