NHL’s New Wave of GMs Are Built Different: ‘I Am In the Prediction Business’
“I am in the prediction business,” Devils GM Sunny Mehta tells FOS.
Sunny Mehta, a first-time general manager of the New Jersey Devils, is part of a new wave of hockey front-office executives who are breaking the traditional mold. Unlike many past GMs who were former pro players, Mehta has spent less time on the ice and more on spreadsheets, similar to the corporate-style managers in the NBA and MLB.
In his six months at the Devils, Mehta has been aggressive in reshaping the roster and the salary cap. He traded away the starting goalie and No. 2 overall pick, while adding 24-year-old Luke Evangelista from the Predators just before the season began. Mehta sees his role as "in the prediction business," trying to put together a roster and predict the future outcomes of hockey players, much like managing a portfolio in finance.
This shift in the type of GMs sought is driven by changes in NHL ownership and organizational structure, with owners looking for managers who can navigate both the hockey and business aspects of the game.
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- NHL’s New Wave of GMs Are Built Different: ‘I Am In the Prediction Business’ frontofficesports.com
