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Florida Panthers Lose Assistant GM; Sunny Mehta Goes Home to New Jersey Devils
TL;DR
Sunny Mehta has left his position as assistant GM of the Florida Panthers to become the new GM of the New Jersey Devils. Mehta, a native of New Jersey, previously led the Panthers' analytics department and contributed to their Stanley Cup victories.
Key points
- Sunny Mehta is the new GM of the New Jersey Devils
- Mehta was previously assistant GM of the Florida Panthers
- He led the Panthers' analytics department
- Mehta contributed to two Stanley Cup victories
- He is originally from Wyckoff, New Jersey
Mentioned in this story
Sunny MehtaFlorida PanthersNew Jersey Devils
Sunny Mehta, now former assistant general manager of the Florida Panthers, celebrates with the Stanley Cup in Sunrise. Mehta is now the new GM of the New Jersey Devils. // Photo courtesy @FlaPanthers
The New Jersey Devils were all too happy to bring Sunny Mehta home — and Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito was thrilled his friend gets such a great opportunity.
Mehta, 48, is a native of Wyckoff, N.J., and spent four seasons with the Devils in heading up the NHL’s first full-time hockey analytics department.
He joined Zito and the Panthers in 2020, and was assistant GM and head of analytics for a team than won the Stanley Cup twice and went to the Final three straight years.
”Sunny is fantastic with analytics and his ability to articulate it to coaches with easy conversations,” Paul Maurice said when asked about Mehta last Saturday afternoon in Toronto. “We get detailed answers and explanations back.’’
Mehta had been rumored to be the top choice to take over the Maple Leafs, but returning home — and to take over a team with quite a bit of talent — was too much to turn down.
He replaces original Panthers forward Tom Fitzgerald.
“This is a dream come true for a New Jersey kid who grew up watching Devils’ practices just 20 minutes away in Totowa,” Mehta said in a statement.
“After meeting with David Blitzer, Josh Harris, Bob Myers, and other members of the organization, I knew this was the place I wanted to be. Thank you to Vinnie Viola, Bill Zito and the entire Florida Panthers organization for a fantastic six years and for the opportunity to take the next step in my professional career. …
Q&A
Why did Sunny Mehta leave the Florida Panthers?
Sunny Mehta left the Florida Panthers to accept the position of general manager with the New Jersey Devils.
What was Sunny Mehta's role with the Florida Panthers?
Sunny Mehta served as the assistant general manager and head of analytics for the Florida Panthers.
How long did Sunny Mehta work with the Florida Panthers?
Sunny Mehta worked with the Florida Panthers for four seasons, joining the team in 2020.
What achievements did the Florida Panthers have during Mehta's tenure?
During Sunny Mehta's tenure, the Florida Panthers won the Stanley Cup twice and reached the Final three consecutive years.
