DeBoer was just hired by San Jose (have fun with that one, Sharks) and replacement Lou Lamoriello finished out the season.
Hynes becomes the youngest head coach in the league at forty years old (doesn't he look much older?) and the Devils job will be his first position in the NHL after six seasons in the AHL with the Scranton/Wilkes Barre Baby Penguins.
Hynes was the head coach in Scranton for five of those six seasons and was noted for a good working relationship with new Devils GM ( and former Pittsburgh GM) Ray Shero.
Now I have to be honest,I know next to nothing about John Hynes.
My knowledge of the AHL pretty much extends to the Devils organization,but I was struck by one thing-Hynes wants the Devils to be an "Attacking" team with plenty of speed.
That would be a radical departure from the traditional basis of the Devils organization and certainly means that Ray Shero and John Hynes will have some interesting moves to make in both the free agent meat market,trade targets and the draft.
The problem with that change of style is this-The Devils don't really have the talent (with a few exceptions) to play that type of game.
That means that it'll take time in order to add the type of players to suit the system that will be installed and that some of the traditional Devils could be on their way out the door.
I'll miss the traditional Devils style,although I'm sure I'll be in the minority on that,but I must admit I am somewhat excited about a new direction.
The game has changed and the Devils have failed to adapt successfully to the "new" league.
This gives the Devils a chance to catch up a bit.
There may be a long adjustment period,but this is what needed to be done,even if hiring a coach that has never played or coached in the league is a bit of a risk.
I'm open minded,so welcome John Hynes to the Devils and good luck,coach-you are going to need it.
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