After shock Peter DeBoer firing, Elliotte Friedman names Dallas Stars' top HC targets

The Dallas Stars fired head coach Pete DeBoer on Friday. The move came after the team lost to the Edmonton Oilers for the second time in the Western Conference Finals in two consecutive postseasons. General manager Jim Nill said it was a tough decision, but he felt the team needed a new voice behind the bench.

"Today was a tough day," Nill said, via NHL.com on Friday. "...We have a good relationship, and that’s probably what makes this the hardest (decision to fire)... In the end, it’s my responsibility to make a decision that’s the right decision for the organization moving forward."

Nill said the team respected DeBoer, but it was time to move forward. DeBoer had led Dallas to three straight conference finals and a strong regular season. His exit followed comments about goalie Jake Oettinger after a Game 5 loss in which he was pulled after nearly 7 minutes.

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman discussed the coaching search on Saturday's episode of the "32 Thoughts" podcast. He said the Dallas Stars did not plan to replace their coach this offseason. Nill told Friedman that all options would be considered.

"I sent a note to Jim Nill and he said the same thing as he did publicly that all options will be considered," Friedman said (Time stamp: 32:26). "I don't think it's guaranteed (who) they're going after, they're going to look at it like we need an experienced guy because we're prepared to win the Stanley Cup."

One candidate is Neil Graham, head coach of the Dallas Stars' AHL team. He’s well-regarded and was a finalist for San Jose’s head coach job last year.

"One thing I did notice is expect to hear some fresh names. Whether they do it or not, they have an AHL coach, Neil Graham," Friedman said."...I don't know if they consider him ready to do this job right now. But I think it's a name that should not be ignored."

Other names Friedman said include Todd Nelson, Jay Woodcroft and Glen Gulutzan. Gulutzan coached Dallas before and is now an assistant in Edmonton.

"Todd Nelson has been on the Dallas bench before," Friedman said. "Jay Woodcroft, ... obviously, Jim Nill knows him from their days together in Detroit. I'm going to give you another name here, and this is a name I think will be a contender in this conversation. And that is Glen Gulutzan."

The Stars know all three head coach candidates well.

Jim Nill talked about having "a list" for the Dallas Stars' head coach position

After firing Peter DeBoer, Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill said the search will look at junior and European leagues. He said the team tracks up-and-coming coaches during scouting meetings.

"We have a list," Nill said, via NHL.com. "We talk internally all the time about this... As we scout players, we try to do the same with coaches."

There’s no set timeline, and no final decision has been made. The Dallas Stars are now the only NHL team without a coach.