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04/16 19:33 CDT Devils hire two-time Panthers Stanley Cup-winning executive Sunny Mehta as general manager Devils hire two-time Panthers Stanley Cup-winning executive Sunny Mehta as general manager By STEPHEN WHYNO AP Hockey Writer The New Jersey Devils hired Sunny Mehta as their general manager on Thursday night, bringing back their former director of analytics to oversee their hockey operations department. Owner David Blitzer announced the hire less than 48 hours after the team's regular season ended without a playoff appearance. Mehta was an assistant when the Florida Panthers won the Stanley Cup each of the past two years. "We quickly realized this job was in high demand and were incredibly fortunate to meet with many qualified candidates," Blitzer said. "Sunny's familiarity with our organization and experience with a two-time Stanley Cup-winning team are characteristics that will serve as a foundation for future success. Our expectations are to be a perennial playoff team and compete for the Stanley Cup, and I look forward to Sunny leading us there." Mehta, 48, established the NHL's first full-fledged analytics department when he joined his home-state Devils in 2014 and worked for them through 2018. He spent time with Washington before going to Florida. The Toronto Maple Leafs, who also had a vacancy after firing Brad Treliving late last month, also showed interest in Mehta, given their interest in a numbers-driven GM. The Devils beat Toronto the punch. Raised in Wyckoff, New Jersey, Mehta grew up a Devils fan. He had a career as a professional poker player and worked in finance before getting into hockey. "I knew this was the place I wanted to be," Mehta said, thanking the Panthers for the chance to take the next step in his career. "New Jersey has a tremendous young core that will be looking to get back to being a contender, a complement of young assets and draft picks, and a passionate fan base hungry for success." The Devils parted ways with longtime GM Tom Fitzgerald late in the season. The future of coach Sheldon Keefe is not clear, though he guided the team to the playoffs in his first year in charge. Mehta takes over at an important time for the franchise, with U.S. Olympic hero Jack Hughes at the center of a young core and captain Nico Hischier eligible to sign an extension as soon as July 1. "I'm focusing on playing hockey here," Hischier said about it the morning after Fitzgerald left. "I still have one more year. I'm with the Devils right now, and then we'll see what happens." If he is able to trade defenseman Dougie Hamilton this summer after his $7.4 million roster bonus is paid, it will clear up valuable salary cap space to use to improve the forward group. ___ AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl