FRISCO TX — Rick Bowness was a NHL head coach or assistant for almost four decades and has played a record 2,562 regular seasons. Even though he is nearing the end his contract with the NHL, the 67 year-old coach is not yet ready to retire. Dallas Stars.
The playoffs are a great way to bring out your passion. Bowness stated Tuesday that the playoffs bring out your passion. Although it's difficult to see the rink lose in overtime in Game 7 of the NHL, it also shows you that although I'm old, there's still plenty of fire in me.
It was not clear if Bowness would be returning two days after Calgary's 3-2 defeat to the wild-card Stars.
Jim Nill, general manager, had exit interviews Tuesday with players. He has one year remaining on his contract. He stated that he would meet with Tom Gaglardi, owner of the team, to discuss the direction of the team and the coaching situation.
After the 2020 final, Bowness was appointed interim head coach. This included a 4 1/2 month pause due to the pandemic in China and two months in a bubble in Canada. Bowness was then offered a 2-year contract. The Stars lost 14 games in regulation, a record for the NHL, and were eliminated from the playoffs. The No. 1 spot in the West was secured by their 98-point season. During the last week of the regular season, they were awarded the No. 1 wild-card slot in the West.
“The players love him. Nill stated, “He's handled this situation very well.” He's done a great job. As I said, we'll meet with everyone, reassess all the information here in the next five to six days and then go from there.
Scotty Bowman and Pat Quinn both Hockey Hall of Fame inductees, as well as Bowness, are the only other head coach to have games in five different decades. Bowness was successful with Winnipeg (1989), Boston (1991–92), Ottawa (1992–96), and Toronto (1992–96). New York Islanders(1996-98), Phoenix (2004), and Dallas (2019-22). He was also an assistant to Vancouver and Tampa Bay.
Bowness, who is 89-62-25 in Dallas, said that a one-year contract would suit him well. If not brought back by Stars, Bowness could find a job in another sport.
Bowness confidently stated, “If they are what I want, the options will exist.”
Bowness, or any other coach next season will help the Stars find more consistent scoring beyond their top line which didn't include six-time All-Stars. Tyler SeguinCaptain Jamie Benn. The Stars were one of 16 playoffs teams that was outscored in the regular season.
Young skaters Roope HintzAnd Jason RobertsonWe were at the top of the line with 37-year olds Joe PavelskiRobertson is the fourth highest 40-goal scorer and Hintz was resigned already for next season. As the season progressed, the Stars evolved into a team led more by Robertson and Hintz than Seguin and Benn.
Dallas feels like it has its franchise goalie now in the 23-year-old Jake OettingerHis 64 saves in Calgary's final game were one of 272 in seven previous games against Calgary. Johnny Gaudreau‘s series-ending goal.
Oettinger declared that “I am even more motivated” to return to that position. “Every second I spent on the ice, it was the most amazing experience of my life. It was like a dream come to reality. … I've never wanted more than this moment to win.
Oettinger started this season in the minors, even though he made his NHL debut in two 2020 playoff games and played in half the Stars' games last year. There have been injuries. Anton Khudobin(hip) Braden Holtby(lower body) and veteran Ben BishopOettinger, who was forced to stop playing due to a degenerative knee problem, took advantage of the opportunity to become the top netminder.
“A phenomenal young goalie. Benn said, “He's going be great for the organization for many years.”
Benn only had 18 goals (46 point), and a career-worst rating, minus-13. Seguin, who missed only three games last season due to a torn knee labrum and knee surgery was minus-21 and had 24 goals (49 total points), but he played against Calgary at the final game of the season with a fractured bone. Benn scored one playoff goal while Seguin scored two. One was an empty-netter.
They still have some prime years ahead. Nill stated that Tyler has had injuries and Jamie has had injuries. But, they still have a lot to offer. They are an integral part of our team. We need them to do better.
This report was contributed by The Associated Press.
