Devils won’t renew contracts of multiple coaching staff members

The New Jersey Devils announced Friday a number of changes to the coaching staff for both the NHL club and their AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets.

Assistant coaches Ryan McGill and Chris Taylor will not have their contracts renewed for the 2025-26 campaign. The team also announced that head video coach Jerry Dineen will not return next season.

Comets’ assistant coach David Cunniff’s contract will also not be renewed.

“The search has begun for replacements,” the team said in a statement.

The Devils went 42-33-7 with 91 points this season, third in the Metropolitan Division. New Jersey had a goal differential of plus-20, but they also struggled at home, finishing with a 19-17-5 record.

In the playoffs, they were eliminated in five games by their division rival, the Carolina Hurricanes.

Jesper Bratt led the Devils in assists and points with 67 and 88, respectively, to go along with 21 goals. Jack Hughes had 27 goals and 43 assists for 70 points, despite missing 20 games with injury. He finished second on the team in points.

Nico Hischier led in goals with 35, and finished the season with 34 assists for 69 points. Timo Meier had 26 goals and 27 assists for 53 points.

On the blue line, Luke Hughes had seven goals and 37 assists for 44 points, missing 11 games due to injury. Dougie Hamilton had nine goals and 31 assists for 40 points, despite missing 18 games.

Defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic, 27, led the team in penalty minutes with 72.

Jacob Markstrom finished with a 26-16-6, posting a .900 save percentage (SV%) and 2.50 goals against average (GAA). Jake Allen had a 13-16-1 record in 31 appearances, posting a .908 SV% and 2.66 GAA.