# Into the Mehtaverse: Braden Birch joins New Jersey Devils Front Office as Assistant GM + Mock Drafts

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-devils-daily-podcast-on-the-new-jersey-devils-520717/into-the-mehtaverse-braden-birch-joins-new-jersey-devils-front-office-as-assistant-gm-mock-drafts
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-devils-daily-podcast-on-the-new-jersey-devils-520717/into-the-mehtaverse-braden-birch-joins-new-jersey-devils-front-office-as-assistant-gm-mock-drafts.md
Podcast: [Locked On Devils - Daily Podcast On The New Jersey Devils](https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-devils-daily-podcast-on-the-new-jersey-devils-520717)
Published: 2026-05-11T18:09:39+00:00
Episode link: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-devils/
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/pdrl.fm/a92ebe/lockedon.simplecastaudio.com/4bd56e64-8f2b-456f-86d6-8d53d7f74194/episodes/910dd5e6-ecae-4f5e-b77a-4b38564aca93/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=4bd56e64-8f2b-456f-86d6-8d53d7f74194&awEpisodeId=910dd5e6-ecae-4f5e-b77a-4b38564aca93&feed=d34VcFyj
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Duration seconds: 1833

## Resource

Zach Berman opened the episode by announcing that New Jersey Devils General Manager Sunny Mehta made his first major hire of the offseason, bringing in Braden Birch as Assistant General Manager and as General Manager of the Utica Comets, the Devils’ AHL affiliate. This move marks the beginning of Mehta’s efforts to strengthen the Devils’ front office, starting by recruiting talent from his previous organization, the Florida Panthers, where Birch played a pivotal role in their recent Stanley Cup successes. In detailing Birch’s background, Zach Berman highlighted his 12-year tenure with the Panthers, most recently as Director of Hockey Operations and salary cap management. Birch's experience includes significant involvement in contract negotiations for key players and maintaining Florida’s excellent salary cap health, something the Devils have struggled with in recent years. His hockey roots include playing professionally and earning a master’s degree in sport management, further underscoring his blend of on-ice and management expertise. Zach Berman provided examples of Birch’s impact in Florida, referencing his hand in savvy contracts and cap management for top players like Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Sergei Bobrovsky, and Sam Reinhart. He also noted Florida’s ability to replace key departures internally and find valuable contributors through their farm system or waivers, contrasting this with New Jersey’s struggles to develop homegrown talent or depth. The hire of Birch is positioned as Mehta’s commitment to instilling a more proactive, organized, and effective approach to team building in New Jersey. To conclude, Zach Berman speculated about future front office moves, suggesting that Bryan McCabe could be another addition if not intercepted by the Maple Leafs,…

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