Stars GM Jim Nill: Pete DeBoer will win a Stanley Cup, just not with Dallas
Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill said it was "time for a change," leading to the decision to fire head coach Pete DeBoer.
Nill spoke with reporters Friday afternoon, hours after the team announced DeBoer's firing. Calling it a "tough day," Nill said he had a great conversation with DeBoer Friday morning informing him of the decision.
"He's a great man. He's a great coach. And he had he had great success here in Dallas. And I have the utmost respect for him as a person and a coach," Nill said. "In the end, it's my responsibility to make a decision that's the right decision for the organization moving forward."
Nill said the decision was based off of year-end reviews and conversations with players. "It's a decision we have to make," Nill said.
Pulling Jake Oettinger in Game 5
Many questions from reporters centered around DeBoer's decision to bench star goalie Jake Oettinger in the first period of Game 5 against the Edmonton Oilers, who gave up two goals on two shots in the first 7:09. The Stars ended up losing the game, and the series with it.
"No one's a bigger fan of Jake Oettinger than me, as a person or a goalie," DeBoer said Saturday, two days later. "There's one motive, and that's how do we survive this and get it to a Game 6. And I have to live with those consequences. If it works, great, we're in Edmonton tonight and you guys are telling me how awesome a move it was. And when it doesn't, I've got to stand up here and do this, and I understand."
The coach also acknowledged he still hadn't talked to Oettinger about that decision.
Nill said he had no problem with the decision to pull Oettinger from the game. "If you're coaching, we've just let two goals in. You've got to change momentum," Nill said.
However, Nill said he did have an issue with DeBoer's comments after the game and the following days.
"I think even Pete is a little bit remorseful of it," Nill said. "I don't think he handled that the way he wanted to, but remember, you're under duress, the pressure of everything going on in that."
Nill said the situation was a contributing factor in the decision to fire DeBoer, but not the only reason.
Despite the decision to fire DeBoer, Nill said he thinks said DeBoer is a great coach. "Pete's, you know, unfortunately won't be here. But he's going to win a [Stanley] Cup," Nill said.
Search for the next coach
Nill said he is immediately starting the process of interviewing head coaching candidates. The NHL Draft is just 3 weeks away, and free agency starts on July 1.
The team is open-minded going into the search, Nill said, in response to a question about whether the they would go after an experienced coach.
"There's some good young coaches out there," Nill said. "Eventually there's going to be another... where's the next Pete DeBoer? Where's the next Scotty Bowman? They're out there somewhere."
Watch Nill's full remarks in the player above.
