Latest news with #GlenGulutzan
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Oilers Could Lose Glen Gulutzan To Stars Amid Coaching Search
The Edmonton Oilers' deep playoff run could come at a cost behind the bench. Following the Dallas Stars' decision to fire head coach Peter DeBoer, speculation is growing that Edmonton assistant Glen Gulutzan could emerge as a serious candidate for the vacancy. Gulutzan, who previously served as the Stars' head coach from 2011 to 2013, has quietly rebuilt his stock as a potential head coach. Gulutzan's work with superstars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl hasn't gone unnoticed, and while his previous runs as a head coach didn't go quite as well as he might have hoped, he's had time to learn and adjust, and is likely prepared to give it another go. Advertisement 'Gully's been the coach I've worked with the longest throughout my time in the NHL,' McDavid told The Athletic during last year's Stanley Cup Final. 'He's great at what he does. He's a great coach and we're lucky to have him here.' It would be a loss for the Oilers if the Stars decided he is their guy. According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, Gulutzan is a name to watch in Dallas. On a recent 32 Thoughts podcast, Friedman said, 'I wouldn't be surprised if he is part of this process.' He added that Stars GM Jim Nill is keeping his options open and is expected to consider both familiar and unexpected names, including Gulutzan, who was once let go by Nill in Dallas more than a decade ago. Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press also suggested Gulutzan as a logical fit, writing, 'Wonder if Glen Gulutzan gets a look in Dallas. Coached the Stars from 2011-13 and had a stint with the Flames. Now a longtime Oilers assistant who has been a big part of Edmonton's success.' Advertisement While Gulutzan's current commitment to the Oilers may have hindered his ability to interview for jobs earlier this off-season, the timing could now align. With only a few vacancies left — and Dallas being one of the most attractive given their status as a Stanley Cup contender — his name could gain traction quickly. The Edmonton Oilers logo on the jersey of goaltender Stuart Skinner. (Jerome Miron-Imagn Images) 'He deserves another chance,' longtime NHL insider John Shannon noted, expressing surprise that Gulutzan hasn't drawn more attention during this cycle. The Oilers are aware of what they have in Gulutzan. Losing him would be a significant blow to their coaching staff, particularly to a power-play unit that has been the league's gold standard. Perhaps it's not fair to give him all the credit, seeing as that power play is loaded with elite talent that should make any coach look good. Still, there is a skill involved in managing that kind of talent and working to create the best results. Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on
New York Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
NHL rumblings: What comes next for the Stars after firing Pete DeBoer?
After firing Pete DeBoer on Friday, the Dallas Stars now have a head-coaching vacancy that might be as attractive as there has been in a long time in the NHL. A team knocking at the door with a core mostly locked up. An elite roster that needs a fresh voice to take it over the final hump. There will be all kinds of interest from the coaching world in getting a call from Stars general manager Jim Nill. Advertisement My sense of it is that Nill will focus on up-and-coming types — think about when Dallas hired Jim Montgomery, for example. Or coaches needing a 2.0 opportunity. Glen Gulutzan makes sense as a candidate. He's run the Oilers' dangerous power play for several years and has a terrific feel for his players in Edmonton, including superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. 'I've got a great relationship with Gully,' McDavid told me during last year's Stanley Cup Final. 'He's been the coach I've worked with the longest throughout my time in the NHL — for most of my career now. I've been with him for a long time, and we've been through a lot together, just like the players have. He's been great with the power play. Obviously, it speaks for itself, but he's making sure everybody's prepared, knows what their role is. 'He's great at what he does. He's a great coach and we're lucky to have him here.' Gulutzan was a young NHL head coach in Dallas from 2011 to '13 — perhaps not ready at that time for that job. And ironically, it was Nill who fired him as one of his first acts as GM in Dallas. But that was a long time ago, and there's no question in my mind the Stars view Gulutzan in a favorable light. Gulutzan was also the head coach of the Calgary Flames from 2016 to '18. Other candidates could include the likes of Kirk Muller and Jay Woodcroft, two guys looking for their 2.0 opportunity as NHL head coaches. It wouldn't surprise me if they get a call. In-house candidates for the Stars will include assistant coach Alain Nasreddine (who was an interim NHL head coach with the New Jersey Devils) and AHL head coach Neil Graham. I think both those guys may get interviews once the process begins. If the Stars decide to go the veteran route, there are obvious, respected names of Peter Laviolette and Gerard Gallant out there, among others. But my sense early on here is that the Stars will look at more of the up-and-comer, second-chance type coach to develop a long-term relationship with. Advertisement In the meantime, the firing of DeBoer — while not necessarily surprising in the light of his comments after the Western Conference final — was still a very, very difficult decision for Nill. I don't think the veteran GM was going to fire him just based on those comments, but once Nill completed his exit interviews with players, it gave him a more complete picture of a new voice being needed. But let's also point out how unusual it is to fire a coach who got his team to three consecutive conference finals. These are big shoes to fill. DeBoer has gone to six conference finals in the past seven years. He's a serial winner. Another key factor in Friday's decision is that DeBoer has one more year left on his Stars contract (paying him $4.1 million). So in reality, the Stars either had to extend DeBoer or fire him. The last thing the Stars wanted was to allow him to come back on an expiring deal next season. One can imagine what a constant storyline that would have been regarding his lame duck status, especially given how the playoffs ended. It really forced Nill to fish or cut bait. For the rest of the league, DeBoer now jumps to the top of the list of free-agent coaches for next season's carousel, especially for win-now teams. I asked Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice, a close friend of DeBoer's, about the firing Friday morning at the Stanley Cup Final. 'He'll be all right,' Maurice said. 'He's a good coach. I think you get elite teams, you've got to push them real hard to get to where they get to, and then at some point you need a summer off — (then) pick your spot. He's going to be OK.'' (Photo of Pete DeBoer on the :)
