The New Jersey Devils just landed the hottest name on the GM market, securing analytical mastermind Sunny Mehta to steer the ship. This is a major win for a franchise looking to build a sustainable contender, and Mehta's work begins immediately with a pivotal offseason ahead.

His first and most critical call? The future of head coach Sheldon Keefe. Keefe showed flashes of brilliance, especially with a healthy Jack Hughes driving the offense. The team's 104-point pace with Hughes in the lineup is impossible to ignore. However, the drop-off during Hughes's injury raises a tough question: can Keefe's system maximize the roster's depth when their superstar is sidelined? Mehta must decide if Keefe is the right long-term architect for this team's identity.

Beyond the head coach, the entire support staff is under review. The Devils' special teams were merely average, and the goaltending, led by the inconsistent Jacob Markstrom, was a season-long question mark. With most assistant coaches on expiring deals, Mehta has a blank slate to assemble a staff that aligns with his modern, data-driven philosophy.

This evaluation extends to the front office itself. While legendary Devil Martin Brodeur is likely secure in his assistant GM role, Mehta may ponder if he wants to surround himself with like-minded, forward-thinking executives. With several GM vacancies open around the league, the composition of his hockey operations team is a key early decision.

For Devils fans eager to see this new era take flight, the excitement starts now. Every move Mehta makes will shape the team's trajectory, and it all begins with these crucial evaluations behind the bench and in the front office. The blueprint for the next great Devils team is being drawn up this summer.