New Jersey Devils Name Cunniff as New Coach

Citing uninspired play and the need for “a change of direction,” the New Jersey Devils Monday fired Coach Jim Schoenfeld and replaced him with assistant coach John Cunniff.

Cunniff was a coach for the Hartford Whalers and Boston Bruins before joining the Devils in May. Details of his contract were not available.

Schoenfeld, 37, coached the Devils to the Stanley Cup semifinals two seasons ago, but the team dropped to 27-41-12 last season and failed to make the playoffs.