After firing coach Lindy Ruff, New Jersey Devils seek goaltending help

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Tom Fitzgerald tried to change the channel by making a big move off the ice Monday night.

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Now, he’d like to shake up his roster before Friday’s National Hockey League trade deadline at 3 p.m. EST.

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The New Jersey Devils general manager fired head coach Lindy Ruff on Monday with his club sitting eight points out of the final wild-card spot in the East and placed Travis Green in the role on the interim basis.

He made his debut Tuesday night against the Florida Panthers.

Fitzgerald acknowledged it’s not all Ruff’s fault the Devils are struggling and confirmed he has been trying to upgrade the club’s goaltending.

New Jersey has been linked to Calgary Flames goalie Jacob Markstrom and also kicked tires on Nashville Predators netminder Jusse Saros.

“I say this knowing I have goaltenders in my room that are trying to stop pucks every day,” Fitzgerald said Tuesday. “There’s a human element to it and our goalies are listening to me answer this right now, and that’s tough for me. But the reality is, yes, as you know, I am in the market.

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“Is there the right person out there for the right price without mortgaging the future? But understanding the short game here that it’s an important position. I’m not ignoring that and sitting here thinking, ‘It’s all great.’ Our goaltending hasn’t been good enough.

“That’s on me to try and go out to upgrade. I wish it was easier said and done, but I’m trying to do the right thing for the organization in the short window and with the big window version in my mind.”

It’s a long shot, but the Ottawa Senators are looking for a change in net as well because neither Joonas Korpisalo or Anton Forsberg has played with any kind of consistency. Korpisalo is in the first season of five-year, $20-million US deal and maybe a fresh start would help.

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Fitzgerald felt he had to make a change behind the bench to see if the Devils can make a push down the stretch.

“The identity we played with to sustain a playoff position wasn’t sustainable,” Fitzgerald said. “Accountability is a huge word for me. The expectations I have personally for our organization to bring this team to where it needs to go. Habits, details, things like that go into what makes good teams and I thought those were areas where we were lacking.”

RUMOURS DU JOUR

The Senators are active in their pursuit of deal to send winger Vladimir Tarasenko to a contender. A pending UFA, Tarasenko is making $5 million on the one-year deal he signed with the club and doesn’t have much interest in signing a new deal in Ottawa. Keep an eye on Carolina because they were a finalist for the 32-year-old when he opted to sign with Ottawa in August. We’ve reported his preferred destination would be the Florida and they’ve kicked tires, along with Vegas, Edmonton and Boston … If Tarasenko is going to move, he may have to wait to see what happens with Pittsburgh’s Jake Guentzel. The Penguins winger has been skating with a non-contact jersey and is on the radar screen of every team looking for a forward. The Vancouver Canucks and Knights are making a push.

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THIS ‘N’ THAT

The Flames continue to push to find a deal for defenceman Noah Hanifin. With 11 goals and 35 points in 61 games with the Flames this season, Hanifin, 27 and a UFA on July 1, has attracted interest from the Bruins, Panthers and Lightning … Teams are telling me to keep an eye on Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman. While the Wings don’t have any glaring needs, he may look to upgrade. The Anaheim Ducks are a seller and it has been suggested that he may do business with GM Pat Verbeek. They spent several years together with the Bolts … Coyotes GM Bill Armstrong is ready to move on from D Matt Dumba, D Troy Stecher and F Jason Zucker, among others … The Nashville Predators are looking to add now that they’re back in the playoff race with an 8-2-0 record in their past 10 games.

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AT THE BUZZER

There’s lots of interest in Philadelphia Flyers D Sean Walker. A pending UFA, he’s a right shot and that’s a valuable asset. The Flyers are making an effort to keep him in the fold and want a first-round pick in return if they’re going to move him or D Nick Seeler. Teams have been kicking tires on Flyers forward Scott Laughton, but it’s doubtful he’s going anywhere. He’s an alternate captain and Philly needs him … It hasn’t stopped teams from calling, but Fitzgerald noted he’s not shopping Tyler Toffoli. The winger has 26 goals and 44 points in 66 games with the Devils … Rangers GM Chris Drury is trying to be aggressive at the deadline and he’d like to bring in another forward or two. If he could bring in another centre and, perhaps, a depth forward that would be the ideal scenario. There has been talk the Rangers are trying to close a deal for Seattle’s Alex Wennberg … San Jose GM Mike Grier would like to be busy at the deadline, but there’s mixed interest in the players they’re trying to deal. The Sharks are looking to move forwards Anthony Duclair, Mike Hoffman, Kevin Labanc and goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen along with pretty much anyone on the roster.

Have a nice day.

bgarrioch@postmedia.com

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