Jeremy Colliton’s sudden exit from the New Jersey Devils this offseason makes a lot more sense now.
According to a recent report from Expressen’s Adam Johansson, the former Devils power play coach is actively chasing opportunities in the Swedish Hockey League. That’s a sharp turn from the early guesswork around his resignation, which had pointed in the direction of a possible move away from hockey altogether.
Instead, Colliton appears to be aiming for a bench boss role again. Johansson reported that multiple SHL clubs have shown interest in him, including Luleå HF and HV71. HV71 is especially notable in this mix because it already has two former Devils players, Santeri Hatakka and Mike Hardman.
Colliton, now 41, spent two seasons in New Jersey and oversaw a power play that ranked third and 13th in the league over that span. The numbers behind it were even stronger than the raw rankings suggested, but his departure came with no warning.
In the interview, Colliton explained why he walked away from the Devils, saying:
"I resigned because I realized that I want to build a culture from the ground up again. I want to have a more direct influence on the culture and be more involved in shaping it.
So I'm looking for the next opportunity that aligns with that goal. For my family's sake, it's also about finding somewhere where we can be for a longer period of time and where I can run a project like this."
That statement points directly to what he wants next: another head coaching job. Colliton hasn’t held that title since his stint with the Abbotsford Canucks in 2023-24, and he said later in the interview that leaving New Jersey gives him the freedom to pursue those chances after already turning down two jobs while under contract with the Devils.
The timing, though, may require some patience. There are no open head coaching positions in the SHL right now, so if Colliton wants back behind the top seat soon, he’ll either need to wait for one to open or look elsewhere.
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The more immediate reality is that there is still concern about the timing of any deal, which keeps the door open for more chatter until something is actually done. New Jersey fans are left sorting through a familiar mix of possibilities, especially with the club already part of broader offseason discussion around player evaluation and trade considerations elsewhere in the market. For now, though, the Hughes noise appears to be more about rumor control than an active Devils pursuit. [Read more 🡒]