Binghamton Devils’ GM Tom Fitzgerald Speaks Out Before Upcoming Draft

While currently taking a break on my First Impressions Series during the off-season, there was some inspiring news that took place in the Twitter-sphere that is worth noting. It involved an interview with the GM of the Binghamton Devils’ Tom Fitzgerald and the upcoming season.

Any news is good news, as we are all excited to see some hockey soon in the Southern Tier Region of NY while the NJ Devils embark in their second season in Binghamton.

What was the cause of excitement?

Tyler Feldman of WBNG12News spoke with BDevils’ GM Tom Fitzgerald on Thursday and this is how it went;

As he noted, Joey Anderson, Michael McLeod and the sudden emergence of Brett Seney to name a few, are going to be a fixture in Binghamton next season. Mind you, I do not recall an assessment this early on potential prospects, but I’m all for it.

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In order for players to succeed to the next level, is the ability to show you can win and be successful at the same time at the AHL level. Fitzgerald has given that sort of effort with the moves he has encompassed in his first season for the BDevils.

It’s more than refreshing to see some communication in a realistic form despite the past. With the declining BSens’ fan base, yet an encouraging scenario from a GM in Binghamton that doesn’t flout the obvious conditions that the minor league club “is just there to develop prospects”.

The NJ Devils and Fitzgerald seemingly are focused on Binghamton, unlike in the past with the Ottawa Senators this early on.

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Rookie prospect Marian Studenic was also brought up in the 6’ 1”, 19 year-old native forward of Holic, SVK who is penciled in for Binghamton next season. A 5th rounder and 143rd overall pick in 2017 by the Devils, he should see some significant time in the top 6.

During Fitzerald’s inaugural season in Binghamton it wasn’t a pleasant one with growing pains on what was an overall dismal season. He was left in making some moves that included dealing disgruntled forward Joe Blandisi to the Anaheim Ducks in a trade that included Adam Henrique. A few months later, Viktor Loov followed suit in exchange for Christoph Bertschy and Mario Lucia of the Minnesota Wild.

There also was one that involved veteran defenseman Dalton Prout in exchange for goalie Eddie Lack in Calgary, which I was never a fan of as Lack was sub-par at best in his work for the BDevils despite his overall enthusiasm. I mean, why not as Lack was close to making $3 million on the tail end of his contract with the Flames.

Neither panned out well for the BDevils with Lack and the pair from Minnesota, but at least there was some player movements to upgrade the roster. I have zero complaints on the effort despite the end results.

Let’s hope the trend continues into next season as words will only get you so far. However, I like what I have seen out of Tom Fitzgerald.