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San Jose Sharks Announce Return of Assistant Coach Bob Boughner

By Lucas Burrell

DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 24: (L-R) Assistant coach Steve Spott, head coach Peter DeBoer and assistant coach Bob Boughner of the San Jose Sharks talk during a break in the action against the Colorado Avalanche at Pepsi Center on February 24, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. The Avalanche defeated the Sharks 4-3 in an overtime shoot out. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 24: (L-R) Assistant coach Steve Spott, head coach Peter DeBoer and assistant coach Bob Boughner of the San Jose Sharks talk during a break in the action against the Colorado Avalanche at Pepsi Center on February 24, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. The Avalanche defeated the Sharks 4-3 in an overtime shoot out. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /
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After an unsatisfying end with the Florida Panthers. Bob Boughner slots back into his role as assistant coach for the San Jose Sharks.

The San Jose Sharks announced in a press release on Wednesday morning that former assistant Coach Bob Boughner will be returning to the responsibilities he previously held on the bench before departing for Florida. He replaces Rob Zettler who will not return to the organization next season.

Boughner’s claim to fame with the San Jose Sharks was his role in developing Brent Burns into the all world blueliner he is today. This coaching and hard work from Burnzie ultimately came to fruition during the 2016 – 2017 campaign when Burns became the first player to ever be awarded the Norris Trophy as a member of Team Teal.

His coaching impact wasn’t just exhibited through Burn’s game. The San Jose Sharks defense as a whole benefited greatly from Boughner’s guidance behind the bench. Looking at the 2016 – 2017 as a whole, Team Teal was in the top 5 of the league in goals allowed and HDCF%, per naturalstattrick.

Not only were the Sharks stout defensively but a lot of their offense funneled  through the blue line. Team Teal only had 3 forwards with 20 goals or more over the course of 82 games in 2016 – 2017 regular season. Out of San Jose’s 219 total goals 22.37% of them came from defenders. That team was relatively thin up front so re-configuring the offensive system was an integral part in off-setting the inefficiencies within the bottom tier of that forward group.

With the likely roster shake up this off-season, perhaps bringing Boughner back will bring a sense of normalcy faster than anticipated. We know Logan Couture is excited about the return of his coach In April Couture personally invited Boughner back via Twitter after he was let go by the Panthers after 2 seasons behind the bench.

Couture isn’t the only one stoked to have Bob Boughner back as an assistant. Head Coach Pete DeBoer explained how well he and the former NHLer have gotten along in the past by saying “He and I have known each other for more than 20 years and we’re very familiar with all the intangibles that he brings to our team.”

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From the sounds of it members of the Sharks organization are upset that he didn’t get more of an opportunity in Florida, but are content with having back on the bench. This was some good news for what will surely be a nerve-racking summer for the San Jose’s front office and members of Sharks territory.

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