Mar 20, 2014; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils head coach Peter DeBoer looks on from behind the bench against the Minnesota Wild during the first period at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Priority number one for the San Jose Sharks remains hiring a new head coach to replace Todd McLellan. While there are a myriad of teams in the same position as San Jose, one name has been appearing in connection with the Sharks’ vacancy: Peter DeBoer.
Earlier today, Darren Dreger of TSN in Canada, tweeted the following about how DeBoer and the Sharks “are believed” to have spoken regarding the head coaching position:
Pete DeBoer is quietly drawing interest. San Jose and Edmonton are among teams believed to have talked to DeBoer.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) May 8, 2015
Also, ESPN’s Craig Custance noted in a story focusing on McLellan’s potential options that DeDoer and the Sharks could be a match. As Custance points out, “former Devils coach Peter DeBoer would sure be a nice fit on a San Jose team where puck possession is part of the identity.”
It’s interesting that Custance mentions the puck possession aspect because that’s the kind of game that general manager Doug Wilson has stated he wants to establish in San Jose.
DeBoer is an interesting candidate because he seems to be highly regarded throughout the hockey world despite moderate success on the ice. DeBoer has a 217-200-77 record in seven seasons with the Florida Panthers and New Jersey Devils.
The highlight came in his first season as head coach of the Devils as he led them to the Stanley Cup Final where they lost in six games to the Los Angeles Kings. His time in New Jersey went downhill from there as an aging roster, devoid of talent, couldn’t sustain any level of success. DeBoer was fired by the Devils in December.
Adding to the intrigue, DeBoer is currently serving as an assistant to McLellan with Team Canada at the IIHF World Championships in Prague. Wonder if the two have spoken about the real estate prices in the Bay Area?