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Peter DeBoer Headed to San Jose

By Diana Driscoll

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Looks like San Jose found their coach. Nearly a week after former coach Todd McLellan found a job with the Edmonton Oilers, Peter DeBoer, the former New Jersey Devils coach, was named the new head coach of the Sharks.

With the news has come mixed reactions. Many people think about his time with the Devils and how most of it was mediocre or disastrous apart from his first season behind the bench. Before that he spent three years with the Florida Panthers and failed to make the playoffs during his tenure. But he did gain experience in dealing with ownership and management troubles (I guess that’s a plus?).

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    • But in his short six-year career coaching at the NHL level, DeBoer’s teams have made the playoffs once. That’s it.

    No wonder why people are worried.

    Let’s take a look into his time with the Devils.

    In 2012, DeBoer coached the Devils to the Stanley Cup Final where the team ultimately fell to the Los Angeles Kings.

    After that strong run things fell apart. But if you look at it, the Devils didn’t have a coaching problem (not entirely) but a personnel problem. At the end of that season, superstar and captain Zach Parise went to Minnesota and Ilya Kovalchuk to the KHL. Two top forwards gone and there was nobody with their skill set to replace them with; their void was felt in the next two seasons. And to make matters worse, DeBoer’s top assistants Larry Robinson (now DeBoer will be reunited with Robinson who is the Sharks’ director of player development) and Adam Oates found gigs elsewhere.

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    Then as 2013-14 rolled around, the Devils faced a goaltending issue. What were they to do with Martin Brodeur? After all he had done for the team over the course of 20 years how could the Devils just stop playing him and put in Cory Schneider? It created an awkward situation that didn’t help the Devils put points in the win column. What also hurt the Devils was the fact that they were the oldest team in the NHL. They just couldn’t compete with the younger, faster and more agile teams.

    ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun said this about DeBoer:

    "“He can teach young players and is a strong communicator, but also isn’t afraid to have a firm hand. That’s the mix of characteristics the Sharks probably will need as they continue to blend younger players with an existing core that features some veteran stars. I see DeBoer as a blend of Darryl Sutter and Jon Cooper, a bit of both worlds.”DeBoer is also a puck-possession positive coach. That’s how his teams play and that should blend especially well with a Sharks team that traditionally has been strong in that area. “"

    So relax Sharks fans, you are in good hands. DeBoer may only have six years of experience at this level, but he has seen the best and the worst teams have to offer. He knows how to keep a level head, communicate and develop players. It will be an adjustment, no doubt about it; going from the Eastern Conference to the Western, but he’ll find his way. Also, if you remember, he was in the running for the top job for the Sharks back in 2008 before the team ultimately went with McLellan. That means the organization saw something in him then and I guess they still do.

    Just like a change of scenery has the power to rejuvenate a player the same can be said for coaches. Look at Alain Vigneault and what he has done since moving from Vancouver to New York. DeBoer may have had more of this season off from coaching, but he is a smart man who once molded a team into a Stanley Cup contender. Out in California, he will have a talented roster to work with. I think he’ll do just fine on the West Coast

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