Islanders Hire Peter DeBoer

     The New York Islanders have hired former Florida Panthers head coach Peter DeBoer as their new head coach. He replaces Patrick Roy, who was fired by the club. DeBoer has coached in five of the past six Stanley Cup Semifinals. 

     The Islanders have four game remaining in the regular season which makes the move unusual. The Isles are one point behind for third place in the Metropolitan Division and for the Eastern Conference second wild-card spot. 

     DeBoer got his first NHL head coaching job with the Florida Panthers. He was with the team for three seasons from 2008-09 to 2010-11. 

     He joined the New Jersey Devils as their head coach in 2011-12 and guided them to an Eastern Conference title during his first season. They defeated the Panthers in a first-round, seven-game series. He remained there until the middle of the 2014-15 campaign. 

     DeBoer was named the head coach of the San Jose Sharks in 2015-16. They were able to capture the Western Conference championship that season. He was let go by them in the midway point of the 2019-20 season. 

     He was hired as the Vegas Golden Knights head coach one month later. DeBoer led them to consecutive Stanley Cup Semifinals appearance. 

     His most recent stop was with the Dallas Stars from 2022-23 until 2024-25. DeBoer's team reached the Western Conference Finals three consecutive seasons while he was at the helm.