The controversy surrounding Dallas Stars head coach Peter DeBoer`s decision to bench starting goalie Jake Oettinger in Game 5 of the Western Conference Final persists.
DeBoer pulled Oettinger after he allowed two goals on just two shots. The coach seemed to place blame on the goaltender after the team`s 6-3 loss last Thursday, which eliminated them from the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
On Monday`s 32 Thoughts: The Podcast, Kyle Bukauskas and Elliotte Friedman discussed the possibility of repairing the relationship between the coach and the goalie.
One point Friedman was certain of: Oettinger is not going anywhere.
Friedman stated, “I don’t think the Dallas Stars are trading Jake Oettinger. Even if Oettinger went in and requested a trade, I believe the Stars would respond, `We just signed you to an eight-year extension. We have no interest in doing that, and we will find a way to resolve this situation.`”
This type of situation has a precedent in Dallas. Friedman recalled 2018 when then-CEO Jim Lites publicly criticized star forwards Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin. Both players are still with the team. While Benn`s contract is set to expire on July 1, he expressed a desire to remain with the club during his season-ending media session Saturday.
Friedman commented, “He criticized them very publicly and severely, and both players were quite upset, but they worked through it. I believe the Stars` objective here is similar. They know Oettinger is upset and embarrassed, but I think they will work to resolve this, just as they did with Benn and Seguin.”
He added, “Undoubtedly, there were strong feelings. It absolutely needs to be repaired. However, if they could resolve the situation with Benn and Seguin involving Jim Lites years ago, there`s no reason they can`t resolve this as well. General Manager Jim Nill is still with the team. He`s a composed and competitive individual with a strong desire to win. He managed that previous situation, and I believe he can handle this one.”
Friedman also doesn`t expect DeBoer to be fired but mentioned that the Stars will “wait and see how next year unfolds” before considering a contract extension for the coach.
Sacco Out in Boston
As the Boston Bruins continue their search for a new head coach, one candidate is no longer in consideration: interim head coach Joe Sacco.
Friedman reported that he heard Sacco was informed he would not be staying, as the team has interviewed other potential candidates.
According to Friedman, there has been much discussion about Marco Sturm (head coach of the AHL`s Ontario Reign), who reportedly had a strong interview last week. He added that the Bruins also interviewed Washington Capitals assistant Mitch Love, former Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft, and Bruins assistant Jay Leach.
Friedman added a new name to the list of potential candidates: Stars assistant coach Misha Donskov, who is now available for interviews since Dallas is out of the playoffs.
Friedman stated, “If they wish to speak with him in person, he is now available, but we will see. They had a busy week in Boston last week with all those candidates, and as I mentioned, I was informed that Sacco would not be returning as head coach.”
Where might Sacco end up? Friedman speculated that Sacco could join the Toronto Maple Leafs coaching staff, especially after associate coach Lane Lambert departed to become the head coach of the Seattle Kraken.
Sacco, who had a 13-season NHL playing career, was drafted by the Maple Leafs in 1987 and played alongside current head coach Craig Berube for a brief period during his time in Toronto.
Penguins Not In A Rush?
Pittsburgh Penguins executive Kyle Dubas is also searching for a new head coach, but Friedman expressed some doubt about Mitch Love still being the leading candidate for the position.
Friedman commented, “I`ve always been advised to trust my instincts when making a statement and stick with it until there`s a reason to believe otherwise. Don`t doubt yourself. I`ve just heard that it`s not guaranteed Love will be the choice in Pittsburgh.”
According to Friedman, former Ottawa Senators head coach D.J. Smith, Woodcroft, and New York Rangers assistant coach Dan Muse have interviewed, with other potential candidates possibly still in the mix.
Friedman remarked, “These might be famous last words, I`m not sure how much of a rush Dubas is in… things can change quite rapidly. I`ll just state that I`m not as confident that Love is the front-runner as I was earlier in this process.”
Latest on CHL-NCAA Transfers
Following the London Knights` Memorial Cup victory, activity is expected to increase in junior hockey concerning players transferring to the NCAA.
Victoria Royals forward Cole Reschny and defenseman Keaton Verhoeff have already verbally committed to North Dakota, while Erie Otters forward Malcolm Spence is committed to Michigan.
Gavin McKenna, a star player for the Medicine Hat Tigers and a potential top pick in 2026, has been mentioned in transfer rumors. His teammate Cayden Lindstrom has been linked to Michigan State.
Friedman commented, “If you follow NCAA hockey, you`ve witnessed the chaos of the transfer portal for several years. The player movement is wild, and now, for the first time, we`re really seeing it between the CHL and the NCAA. No one is entirely sure where this is heading yet. There`s a general idea, and we`re seeing more players make the move, but the long-term implications are still unknown.”
Friedman anticipates that this will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis for each player, rather than a “one size fits all” solution.
He noted, “Not all NCAA schools are alike. Some are powerhouses, while others have smaller budgets. It`s similar to the CHL. London, one of the largest organizations, won the Memorial Cup this year. Not everyone is like London. There are smaller markets and teams that cannot offer the same resources as London.”
“It`s a decision made on a case-by-case and team-by-team basis. Some players will go to schools like North Dakota or Michigan and be incredibly impressed. Others will attend different schools and find it not significantly different from what they had before.”
Friedman pointed out that players have until January 10th to return to the CHL and wondered if any players might choose to go back if the NCAA experience doesn`t meet their expectations.
One certainty for Friedman is that this trend will compel CHL teams to improve.
Friedman concluded, “What every CHL team should be asking now is: Are we doing everything possible, regardless of our budget size, to make players want to remain with our team? The answer to that question absolutely must be yes. This trend should force you to get better.”
