Golden Knights cashing out on DeBoer
Islanders promote assistant Lambert to head coach to replace fired Trotz
The Vegas Golden Knights fired coach Peter DeBoer on Monday.
DeBoer, the franchise's second head coach, was hired on Jan. 15, 2020, after Gerard Gallant was fired. He compiled a 98-50-12 record in three seasons.
After reaching the Stanley Cup playoffs in each of DeBoer's first two seasons, the Golden Knights missed the post-season for the first time in the team's five-year history in 2021-22.
DeBoer, 53, has an overall record of 513-379-123 as a head coach with the Florida Panthers, New Jersey Devils, San Jose Sharks and Golden Knights.
He had one year remaining on his contract. Vegas lost to the Dallas Stars in the conference finals in 2020 and fell to the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL semifinals in 2021.
ISLANDERS NAME LAMBERT NEW COACH
The New York Islanders promoted Lane Lambert to head coach on Monday to replace Barry Trotz behind the bench.
Lambert, 57, served as associate head coach with the Islanders the past four years. This will be his first stint as a head coach in the NHL.
“I had the opportunity to work with Lane over the past four years, which includes spending time with him on a one-on-one basis when he served as the interim Head Coach this past season,” Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello said in a statement. “In my opinion, he is the right person to coach this team.”
Lambert won a Stanley Cup as an assistant coach with the Washington Capitals (201718) and also served as an assistant in Nashville (201114). Lambert has been a head coach in the AHL and Western Hockey League.
Lambert tallied 124 points (58 goals, 66 assists) in six seasons with Detroit (1983-86), the New York Rangers (198687) and Quebec Nordiques (1986-89).
He was selected in the second round of the 1983 draft by the Red Wings. The forward played in 283 games.
The Islanders fired Trotz last week, ending his run of four seasons with New York. He posted a record of 152-102 and was 28-21 in the playoffs with the Islanders.
The Islanders went to the conference finals in back-toback seasons before missing the post-season in 2021-22.
POINT DOUBTFUL FOR OPENER AGAINST FLORIDA
Tampa Bay Lightning centre Brayden Point is doubtful for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Florida Panthers after suffering an apparent lower-body injury Saturday night.
However, Lightning coach Jon Cooper told reporters Monday that Point would be day-to-day after Tuesday's opener.
Point crumpled to the ice in the first period in Game 7 against Toronto after his right leg gave way along the side boards. He writhed in pain, grabbing at his right hip before the first intermission. He tried to return, coming off after a 25-second shift early in the second period, but couldn't continue.
“He gave it a go,” Cooper said Saturday night. “He was not going to the room. He was going to stay on the bench the whole time, but he couldn't go.”
Point had four points (two goals, two assists) in the series against the Maple Leafs. Point scored a league-high 28 goals combined in the previous two post-seasons, both resulting in Stanley Cup titles for the Lightning, who are attempting a three-peat.
Point had 58 points (28 goals, 30 assists) in 66 games in the 2021-22 regular season.