Interesting Option Surfaces as Pete DeBoer's Replacement Following His Firing

The Dallas Stars and general manager Jim Nill have decided to make a major change in leadership behind the bench, informing coach Peter DeBoer that he was being relieved of his duties after 3 years on the job.

While the Stars reached the WCF in all 3 of DeBoer's years with the club, they weren't able to advance to the SCF and have been dispatched by the Edmonton Oilers in each of the last 2 postseasons.

DeBoer also may have sealed his fate with how he handled pulling goaltender Jake Oettinger in Game 5 against the Oilers, a decision that was reportedly not well-liked by the other Stars players.

Nill will now be searching for the next Stars bench boss, and one name is standing out in particular. Former Edmonton Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft hopes to return to head coaching and could prove to be an interesting candidate for Nill to consider.

Woodcroft was reportedly in the running for the vacancies that have since been filled by the Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins.

He already has extensive coaching experience as an assistant, starting with his role as Detroit Red Wings video coach from 2005 to 2008; he then departed along with Todd McLellan (who has since returned to Detroit as head coach) to work for the San Jose Sharks.

Eventually, Woodcroft made his way to the Edmonton Oilers organization, serving as head coach of the AHL's Bakersfield Condors before replacing Dave Tippet behind their bench in 2021-22.

Having already coached several young players in the AHL along with the game's best duo in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, Woodcroft took the Oilers to the WCF in his 1st year with Edmonton and would have the chance to do the same with the Stars.

He's also enjoyed good relationships with his players, something that Stars players would welcome after the experience with DeBoer went sour.

As an NHL head coach, Woodcroft has a 79-41-3 record in the regular season and a 14-14 record in the playoffs.