Vegas cans DeBoer after missing playoffs
The Vegas Golden Knights fired coach Peter DeBoer on Monday in the aftermath of missing the playoffs for the first time in their five-year franchise history.
GM Kelly McCrimmon thanked DeBoer for his work with the organization, but also said the team was looking for a fresh voice roughly four months before training camp opens.
“The decision was made based on next year, the decision was not based on last year,” McCrimmon said. “I'm not going to be critical of Pete or point out specifics as to why this decision was made. These decisions are made for the future.”
Vegas failed to qualify for the playoffs after a barrage of injuries compounded by salary cap problems that wreaked havoc on the lineup. The Golden Knights at one point were first in the Pacific Division but after 82 games found themselves three points back of the final wildcard spot in the West despite acquiring center Jack Eichel in a trade with Buffalo and other moves along the way designed to make them a perennial Cup contender.
The organization having a short leash on coaches is nothing new. DeBoer coached the Golden Knights for 2 1/2 seasons after being named in January 2020 to replace Gerard Gallant, who guided the team to the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season in 2017-18 and back to the playoffs in 2019
DeBoer, 53, is the fourth coach to lose his job since the regular season ended.
When the Islanders fired coach Barry Trotz, GM Lou Lamoriello believed the team needed a new voice. That new voice is coming from inside the same coaches' room.
The Islanders named Lane Lambert as Trotz's replacement, giving his longtime assistant his first head coaching job in the NHL. It took just a week from the decision to move on from Trotz to conclude that Lambert was the right choice to succeed him.
“There is without question a new voice,” Lamoriello said. “That new voice is here with Lane, and certainly Lane has different thoughts on things.”
Lambert, 57, has worked on Trotz's staff the past 11 years with Nashville, Washington and New York. He has a Stanley Cup ring from the Capitals' run in 2018.