Devils dump Hynes after slow start

Newark, N.J. — John Hynes paid the price for the New Jersey Devils failing to deliver on the high expectations created by having three No. 1 overall draft picks in the lineup.

Hynes was fired as coach Tuesday after a 9-13-4 start that left the team in last place in the Metropolitan Division and with the NHL's second-worst record.

General manager Ray Shero announced the move roughly 20 minutes before Hynes was scheduled to speak to the media before the Devils' game against the Vegas Golden Knights. Hynes had been coach for four-plus seasons.

Shero said assistant Alain Nasreddine would become the interim coach and Peter Horachek, a pro scout for the team, would join the coaching staff as an assistant.

The dismissal comes a day after the Devils were ripped by the Buffalo Sabres 7-1, a game Shero said was hard to describe. That followed a 4-0 loss at home to the rival New York Rangers on Saturday.

Shero said he made his decision to fire Hynes after the Buffalo game, adding the team's inconsistency and inability to hold leads all season contributed to his disappointment that began with an 0-4-2 record after six games.

“I don't think there is any one player performing even at the level, let alone above, that we would expect, or they would expect,” Shero said. “That's the thing that is disappointing. Obviously change brings opportunity not only for Alain Nasreddine but also for our players. It's opportunity for them and to find out where we are and where we are going to go.”

Shero said Nasreddine would be given a chance to turn things around, adding there is a lot of time left in the season.

Nasreddine said he was in shock when Shero informed him of the change, calling it a bittersweet moment since Hynes had been his mentor for the last decade.

“I think everyone in that room is disappointed,” Nasreddine said of the team. “Everyone in that rooms feels responsible. Everyone in that room can be better.”

The Devils had high hopes entering the season after drafting Jack Hughes with the No. 1 overall pick just two years after taking Nico Hischier with the No. 1 pick. The other first overall pick on the roster is Taylor Hall, who won the league MVP award in 2018 after leading New Jersey to the playoffs.

The Devils are the third team to change coaches this season. Toronto fired Mike Babcock two weeks ago and Calgary parted way with Bill Peters last week.