Pete DeBoer Out as Stars Coach Despite Deep Playoff Runs
So, big news out of Dallas: Pete DeBoer is officially out as head coach of the Dallas Stars. After three seasons, two 50-win campaigns, and three straight appearances in the Western Conference Final, the organization decided to make a change. Surprising? Definitely. But as Stars GM Jim Nill said, sometimes doing what's right for the future means making a tough call in the present.
DeBoer was informed of the decision early Friday morning, and according to Nill, the conversation was respectful and professional. That's a testament to the relationship they built over time, which only makes the decision sting more. The numbers speak for themselves — DeBoer had a 149-68-29 record with the Stars and posted the best points percentage (.665) in the NHL during that span. But in the NHL, success doesn’t always buy security, especially when a team keeps falling short of the ultimate goal.
Now, a lot of eyes are turning to what happened during the Stars’ recent playoff run. Game 5 of the Western Final against the Oilers might have been a turning point. Goalie Jake Oettinger was pulled after giving up two goals on just two shots within the first 7 minutes. DeBoer was blunt in the postgame comments, pointing out that Oettinger had lost six of his last seven games against Edmonton. That didn’t sit well with many, even though DeBoer later walked back the comments, saying no one believed more in Oettinger than he did.
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To Oettinger’s credit, he took it on the chin. He called the experience “embarrassing” but said he’s using it as fuel to get better. That’s the mindset of a true competitor. But clearly, something in that moment — whether it was the comments, the pull, or just the overall vibe — played a role in management’s decision.
Nill made it clear the decision wasn’t just about that one incident, but it did weigh in the postmortem of the season. After conducting player exit interviews and evaluating the team’s trajectory, the organization felt it was time for a new voice in the locker room. No replacement has been named yet, but names from across leagues — from Europe to Canadian juniors — are on the radar. Neil Graham, head coach of the AHL affiliate Texas Stars, is expected to be in the mix.
Looking at DeBoer's larger resume, he's no stranger to deep playoff runs. He’s led six teams to the conference finals in the last seven years and has taken both the Devils and Sharks to the Stanley Cup Final. The man knows how to get results, and odds are he’ll land another gig sooner rather than later.
As Nill put it bluntly: “Pete’s going to win a Cup — unfortunately, it just won’t be here.”
A bold move by the Stars, no doubt. And now the pressure shifts to whoever takes the reins next — because one thing’s clear: the window for Dallas is open, and expectations aren’t getting any lower.
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