By now, everyone is fully aware of the calls for Detroit Red Wings head coach Jeff BLashill’s job. The Hockeytown bench boss seemingly is always tending on Twitter following a loss as fan frustration continues to mount with the futility of this season.
While many argue that Blashill doesn’t have much to work with in the form of good players on the ice, plenty of others believe that a different voice in the locker room could improve their fortunes – even slightly.
With that being said, Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman should have Peter DeBoer on his radar before another team snatches him up.
http://gty.im/1079355724
DeBoer was recently let go by the San Jose Sharks, a team he helped to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2016 and another Conference Finals appearance last year. He boasted a 198-129-34 in the Bay Area. He’s also served as head coach of the New Jersey Devils, whom he led to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2012. His NHL coaching experience also extends to Florida, where he was behind the bench for the Panthers from 2008 to 2011.
DeBoer already has a Michigan connection, having been the Plymouth Whalers head coach from 1997 to 2001, and guiding them to several successful campaigns.
While DeBoer wouldn’t be an instant fix to the Red Wings woes, having an established NHL winner with over 400 wins to his name would be an immediate upgrade in the coaching position.
Yzerman hasn’t indicated that he’ll be making any coaching changes any time soon, but his hand could soon be forced if the team’s losing ways don’t stop. DeBoer is officially a coaching free-agent, and there may only be a limited window of opportunity to make this move.
