With the Sharks hiring Peter DeBoer the head coaching search finally comes to an end and team teal has avoided potential disaster hires. DeBoer is a good hire. He’s not a bright lights name like Babcock, Hitchcock or Bylsma – but he’s a good coach that has some good possession seasons on his resume.

After battling through two of the worst head coaching jobs in the league he lands in sunny California to coach future hall of famer Joe Thornton. Good things come to those who wait, Peter.

The biggest thing everyone notices about DeBoer is he’s missed the playoffs in five of his six head coaching seasons but, let’s be honest, he didn’t have much to work with in both Florida and New Jersey. He’ll have the best roster he’s coached when he opens the season in San Jose this year with hopes of reaching the playoffs for the second time in his coaching career.

DeBoer’s 2012-2013 New Jersey Devils were the number one possession team (55.9%CF) and his 2013-2014 Devils were ranked number two (54.4%).

This year the Devils dropped to 5th worst in the league at 47.2%.

The Sharks were, normally, a strong possession team under Todd McLellan so they needed to replace that element behind the bench when they found their fresh mind.

He’s had his knocks on him for his usage of young defender Adam Larsson but he has no real glaring deficiencies in how he coaches. He’s a solid choice for the Sharks moving forward and it will be interesting to see what he does with a roster with as much talent as San Jose has.

I have three things I’ll be watching for with DeBoer:

1) What he does with Mirco Mueller.
2) How long until he gets comfortable on line combinations.
3) Where he places Tomas Hertl.

It’s a fresh start for all of the players and anyone who was in Todd McLellan’s doghouse (Nieto, constantly) will have a chance to get some yard time and impress the new warden.

A question that remains unanswered is who he will take with him behind the bench, though those names should start to leak out any time now.

DeBoer is part owner of the Oshawa Generals and Generals head coach DJ Smith has done a great job for them so I wonder if he’ll get a chance to work with DeBoer in San Jose. The Generals are currently waiting for the rest of the Memorial Cup teams to duke it out to see who they play in the Championship game.

As for the compensation part of things, the Devils won’t seek any.

Remember the Penguins did not seek compensation from the Devils for hiring Ray Shero. Devils won't from San Jose for Pete DeBoer.

— Tom Gulitti (@TGfireandice) May 27, 2015

They had every right to, and I would have if I was them, but they seem to be taking the high road – unlike the Sharks did with Edmonton. Again, such a stupid, stupid rule.

Darren Dreger says the deal with DeBoer is for four years.

DeBoer is believed to have agreed to a 4 year contract with the Sharks.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) May 27, 2015

No dollar amounts have been leaked out yet and, surprisingly, that’s what I’m most interested in thanks to Babcock and McLellan. It will be interesting to see how much DeBoer inked for on average as the coaching salary pecking order readjusts itself.

Welcome to San Jose, Pete, you’re hired.

Thanks for reading.

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