The Devils still play in Newark, but they are looking more like Pittsburgh East every day.
Former Penguins general manager Ray Shero was hired to succeed Lou Lamoriello last month, and on Tuesday, the new GM announced the hiring of coach John Hynes, who spent the past five seasons with Pittsburgh’s minor league AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Shero repeatedly talked about the Devils’ identity during Tuesday’s press conference at Prudential Center, stressing “fast” and “attacking” — neither exactly hallmarks of the franchise’s glory days.
And he made it clear Hynes, who at 40 becomes the youngest coach in the NHL, was his top choice, even with higher-profile coaches available.