June 3, 2025 | 11:59am ET
TheFourthPeriod.com
QUESTIONS SURROUND DEBOER TENURE IN DALLAS
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Stars Head Coach Pete DeBoer
Since being eliminated in the Western Conference Final for the third straight season, the Dallas Stars have begun mapping out their off-season plan in preparation for the 2025-26 campaign.
With the futures of captain Jamie Benn, centre Matt Duchene and other pending free agents up in the air, there appears to be some uncertainty surrounding the future of Head Coach Pete DeBoer, as well.
DeBoer will be entering the final year of his contract, but there is plenty of speculation suggesting his time may run out early.
On Monday, TFP’s David Pagnotta reported that several Stars players voiced their concerns over DeBoer’s playoff tactics and public comments made after their playoff run ended.
While Pagnotta did not specify exactly what has irked the players, other than to say the team was “not pleased with how he handled several situations during the (Western Conference Final)” and “voiced concerns during internal exit interviews.”
Stars GM Jim Nill is believed to be evaluating next steps, which may result in replacing DeBoer behind the bench.
Noise out of Dallas re: Pete DeBoer. Per multiple sources, players are not pleased with how he handled several situations during the WCF, along with post Gm5 & exit media remarks. Told players voiced concerns during internal exit interviews. DeBoer has 1yr left on his contract.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) June 2, 2025
DeBoer has been widely criticized for his decision to pull goaltender Jake Oettinger during Game 5 of the Western Conference Final, but it appears the internal concerns stem beyond that one move.
In three seasons with the Stars, DeBoer has compiled a record of 149-68-29. Over his head coaching career with the Florida Panthers, New Jersey Devils, San Jose Sharks, Vegas Golden Knights and Stars, DeBoer lost in the Stanley Cup Final twice (2012, 2016) and lost in the Western Conference Final five times.