Pete DeBoer isn’t aware that he will be returning to the coaching staff of the Vegas Golden KnightsHe hopes so, however.
DeBoer stated Tuesday that he wanted to return as a coach during his media availability at the end of the season. “I want this team to be coached again. We have never been able to do the things we are capable of. This kind of season is what you need to be able to get through the year.
Next season, DeBoer will be under contract with Vegas. He’s had a few days off to think about his position in the organization after the dramatic collapse of the Golden Knights late-season.
Now, he is in his third season behind Vegas’ bench — took over from the fired Gerard GallantMidway through the 2019-20 season, DeBoer was directing the Golden Knights to their second postseason appearance. This was the first season in franchise history Vegas, who began playing in 2017-18, did not make it to the playoffs. It was a fate that few could have predicted last winter.
The Golden Knights, a Western Conference powerhouse for a lot of the year with a 28-16-3 record, sat atop the Pacific Division in February with a 28-16-3 mark. Compounding injuries brought on the next disaster. Mark Stone, Alec Martinez, Max Pacioretty, Reilly Smith, Robin LehnerOthers also missed important time. Even getting a healthy Jack EichelIn late February, after November surgery to repair a herniated disk, it wasn’t enough for Vegas to stay afloat.
Vegas’ prospects got worse when you add in the Golden Knights’ mysterious power-play problems (they were 25th overall at 18.4% with an extra man),
The team ended the year at 15-15-5. Vegas was unable to finish the year in the top 15 but had numerous chances to secure a wildcard. DeBoer is feeling lost and indecisive after missing those chances. To discuss the future, he plans to meet Kelly McCrimmon, Vegas general manager, and George McPhee president of hockey operations to discuss his next steps.
DeBoer stated that he was disappointed by the results. “I wasn’t disappointed with their efforts. Our group faced a lot of challenges. They really gave me what I needed every night.”
DeBoer faced his own difficulties. DeBoer was missing important pieces throughout the year. The salary cap restrictions also made it difficult for him to ice three lines at times.
McCrimmon and his company remediated Vegas’ cap space situation in February by moving Stone to LTIR and trying to trade Evgeni Dadonov from Anaheim before the March deadline. move that was disallowedDue to the Ducks being on Dadonov’s no-tradelist – but cap problems haunted Vegas throughout the year.
DeBoer stated, “The reality of the season, when I look back ten years later, (we had more) 500-man games (to injury),” It bled into everything. We could have scored 105 points if we were in average health. If we were in better health, we would be competing for the Presidents Trophy. I don’t use injuries as an excuse. We never had the chance to bring everyone together. “A little stretch was done at the end. I thought it looked very dangerous.”
There was also the Lehner problem. The shoulder injury that Vegas’ goaltender sustained in February caused him to withdraw from the game. He was able to return to the crease by March but never felt fully recovered. After allowing one goal on 13 shots to Washington, Lehner’s situation reached boiling point. He was then pulled at the end of the first period.
DeBoer stated that Lehner felt “healthy, fresh, and he’s very energetic” after the game. However, ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reported Lehner had told the Golden Knights that his season was ending. DeBoer denied this, and Lehner actually dressed as backup. Logan ThompsonThe San Jose SharksApril 24, 2009. Vegas was confirmed the next day. Lehner was being shut downTo have surgery.
DeBoer answered Tuesday’s question about whether Lehner’s decision to undergo surgery caught him off-guard. DeBoer also stated that Lehner had not yet undergone his surgery, but believes it will happen in the coming week.
DeBoer made clarifications about Lehner’s position at the same time.
“When I used the term ‘healthy’, that was not the right word to use. He said, “That’s on me.” “I have no doubts about Robin Lehners ability.”
DeBoer stated, “Gottender” is another injury concern. Laurent BrossoitIn the offseason, Brossoit will be undergoing a “medical procedure”. Brossoit was sidelined since March 15th with an unidentified illness.