BLOG: What Devils Might Do During Long Off-Season

Devils Interim General Manager Tom Fitzgerald talked to media following the NHL's announcement to end the regular season and advance directly to the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs. With the NHL's Return to Play plan, the Devils are one of seven teams who will not participate in the post-season.

"We respect the decision they made on this, it is what it is, and all we can do is control what we can control," said Fitzgerald. "It's disappointing not being a part of the 24 group, but it allows us more time.

"We're all excited about the draft and what this could add to our organization so we're preparing hard and we'll be ready for that draft and excited about what happens at the lottery and see where we end up."

When asked about the long period of time between the end of the 2019-20 regular season in March, and the start of the 2020-21 season, Fitzgerald discussed the challenges his club faces.

"This is potentially an eight-plus month hiatus for the seven teams," said Fitzgerald. "The seven other general managers and I have been in touch with each other and discussing this stuff over and over. Just ideas, and one idea is being able to work with our players over the summer because we're not going to be able to bring in young prospects to New Jersey like other cities are going to be able to do, or afforded to do, to work with them."

Fitzgerald also explained his players' ability to resume on-ice training through the League's Return to Play Policy, even though the Devils will not participate in the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

"They are allowed, they would have to go through the same protocol as the league mandated the 24 teams. If guys are comfortable enough to come back to New Jersey and want to settle in and fell comfortable in their own little nest, absolutely. But they're going to have to go through the same protocols that playoff teams are doing with going to return to play. So that's an option for our players, if our local players want to do it, that's great."