Okay, it isn’t exactly an exchange between the Seattle Kraken and New Jersey Devils’ front offices. More like simultaneous hires of personnel who last worked for the other team.
The Devils on Wednesday named Jessica Campbell, for the last two seasons the barrier-breaking Kraken assistant coach, as player development manager. Meanwhile, Chuck Fletcher, most recently a New Jersey senior advisor, has been named to the same position in Seattle.
What ties the two moves together was the April firing of NJ general manager Tom Fitzgerald.
New Role For Groundbreaking Kraken Coach
When Fitzgerald was let go, so were others, including Fletcher. New Devils GM Sunny Mehta had positions to fill, including prospect development
Campbell, the first female behind-the-bench NHL assistant, has always taken a holistic approach to coaching.
“According to the team,” reported CTV News, “she will focus on the advancement of the team’s draft picks and young players alongside fellow new hire Bryan McCabe.”
In the view of independent team site Pucks and Pitchforks, “The Devils’ development process has not been working, as high-profile prospects did not turn into effective NHL players. (Campbell) is focused on the player as a person, adjusting her style based on who she is working with. One might argue that’s actually better for development than it is for coaching.”
Campbell left the Kraken organization in April after her contract expired, likely because first-year head coach Lane Lambert didn’t show the same faith in her that previous coach Dan Bylsma had.
Fletcher Continues Penguins-To-Kraken Pipeline
Botterill, new assistant GM Patrik Allvin, and Fletcher all once worked together in the Pittsburgh Penguins’ front office. Until April, Allvin was general manager of the Vancouver Canucks. Fletcher was GM of the Minnesota Wild for nine seasons, and the Philadelphia Flyers for four-plus years. His official title is “Senior Advisor” to Botterill.
Fletcher, 59, has also served as AGM with Florida, Anaheim, and Pittsburgh. He’s the son of legendary executive Cliff Fletcher, elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame as a Builder in 2004.
In a separate upcoming story, we review Fletcher’s history as GM in Minnesota and Philadelphia.
Earlier Kraken:
— Kraken Hire Seasoned Advisor In Chuck Fletcher
