Dallas Stars won’t commit to the future
The Dallas Stars are playing in their first Western Conference final since the 2007-08 season after finding success inside the National Hockey League bubble. However, the team still refused to discuss the long-term future of head coach Rick Bowness who took over midway through the season for Jim Montgomery on December 10th.
“We have this agreement, we’re going to sit down end of the year,” said Stars’ general manager Jim Nill, via NHL.com. “I want to talk to Rick. Does he want to continue to be a head coach? But what he’s done right now, he’s made a strong statement.”
The Stars took down the Calgary Flames in six games in the opening round of the playoffs before eliminating the Colorado Avalanche in seven games. It was an overtime victory in game seven that sealed the series for Dallas, providing them a big emotional boost heading into the conference final against the Vegas Golden Knights.
“When we had to make the change, everything went pretty quick,” Nill said. “We went right from having to make the coaching change to Rick taking over, and then all of a sudden you get a pandemic. That gave him a chance to reset, and I think we’re reaping the rewards right now of him having a chance to put his stamp on this team. I’ve been very impressed.”
Dallas has looked good under Bowness, posting a 20-13-5 record since he took over. The 65-year-old has a plethora of coaching experience in the NHL, being in and out of the league as a head coach since 1988. He has spent time with the Winnipeg Jets, Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators, New York Islanders and Phoenix Coyotes.
Even with all his experience though, the Stars provided him with his first opportunity to be a head coach since he was with the Phoenix Coyotes during the 2005-06 season. He did work as an assistant coach with the Vancouver Canucks, Tampa Bay Lightning and Dallas Stars before taking over for Montgomery as head coach in December.
“When you see the players react to a coach and decisions he has to make, that’s important,” Nill said. “I know Rick has the full support of the players, and that’s very important.”
The players also seem to be fond of him judging by their performance on the ice and their words off of it.
“He’s one of those guys that you want to win for,” said Dallas Stars center Tyler Seguin, via NHL.com.
At this point, it would be shocking if the veteran did not return to Dallas but until a long-term contract is worked out anything is possible.
Bowness also seems eager to remain with the Stars though, as he continues to help them pursue the game’s most prestigious prize – the Stanley Cup.
“I just be me with the players,” Bowness said. “That’s how I’ve always coached. I’m not one of those guys that labels [coaches] player coach, [or] not a player coach. I don’t believe in all that stuff. I’m just me. I just do it my way.”
After beating the Golden Knights in the first game of the Western Conference final, they dropped game two 3-0. Game three takes places on Thursday evening from inside the NHL bubble in Edmonton, Alberta.
