Golden Knights fire coach Peter DeBoer; Islanders hire Lane Lambert
Anthony Scultore
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The axe has fallen in Vegas on Golden Knights head coach Peter DeBoer.
Despite a season beleaguered by injury to key players, GM Kelly McCrimmon had seen enough to warrant dismissing DeBoer after three seasons.
“We would like to thank Pete DeBoer for his commitment to the Vegas Golden Knights over the past three seasons,” McCrimmon said in a statement. “Since joining the organization, Pete and his staff have guided us through some of the most unique and challenging circumstances we’ve witnessed since our franchise entered the NHL. After lengthy discussions over the last two weeks, we believe that a new coach will put us in the best position to succeed next season.”
Golden Knights fire Peter DeBoer
DeBoer had reached the playoffs in each of his first two seasons behind the bench after replacing Gerard Gallant on January 15, 2020. It was his failure to guide a team that was considered a Stanley Cup favorite before the season started to postseason action that played a role in his dismissal.
DeBoer, 53, has an overall record of 513-379-123 in stops with the Florida Panthers, New Jersey Devils, San Jose Sharks and Golden Knights.
His record with Vegas was 98-50-12 and he had one year remaining on his contract.
The biggest question is who will Vegas hire to replace DeBoer? Early rumors indicate Barry Trotz, who was dismissed by the New York Islanders last week as a top candidate.
Trotz, 59, compiled a 152-103-34 record in 4 seasons with the Islanders that includes two runs to the Eastern Conference Final.
For his coaching career, he’s amassed a record of 914-670-60-168 over the course of 23 years. He spent 15 of those with the Nashville Predators and 4 with the Washington Capitals, where he won the Stanley Cup in 2017-2018.
Islanders promote Lane Lambert
Speaking of the Islanders, they have promoted Lane Lambert as their new head coach replacing Trotz.
Lambert, 57, has been with the Islanders an associate coach for the last the four years. He has never been a head coach at the NHL level.
“I had the opportunity to work with Lane over the past four years, which includes spending time with him on a one-on-one basis when he served as the interim Head Coach this past season,” Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello said in a statement. “In my opinion, he is the right person to coach this team.”
Lambert was mentored by Barry Trotz in both Nashville and Washington. He won a Stanley Cup as an assistant coach with the Capitals (2017-18) and also served as an assistant in Nashville (2011-14).
Lambert also has 283 games of NHL playing experience amassing 124 points in 283 games with the Detroit Red Wings(1983-86), New York Rangers (1986-87) and Quebec Nordiques (1986-89).
