Sunny Mehta, 48, has taken on the role of general manager for the New Jersey Devils, expressing optimism about bringing the Stanley Cup to his hometown. During his introductory news conference, Mehta pledged to focus on building a sustained championship contender through a careful evaluation process of the roster and coaching staff. Previously the director of analytics for the Devils from 2014 to 2018, Mehta has a unique background as a former professional poker player, which he believes equips him with the skills to understand the complexities of building a successful hockey team. He aims to reshape the roster around young talents like Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, and captain Nico Hischier. Mehta also envisions the Devils as a destination franchise, citing advantages such as proximity to Manhattan and appealing suburbs. He underscored the importance of focusing on the process rather than short-term results, drawing parallels between poker and hockey in terms of strategy and decision-making.