Dallas Stars Head Coach Change is Necessary, but Will Have Obstacles

The season is over and the Dallas Stars are already diving into the offseason process and checklist. Though the firing of head coach Lindy Ruff was a tough decision, it had to be done.

The Dallas Stars finally made it out of the 2016-17 season. They had a typical, edge of your seat season finale in their 4-3 overtime victory on Saturday night and completed exit interviews yesterday.

They also announced the decision to not move forward with Lindy Ruff as the head coach. This decision came as no shock to followers of the Stars, but proves to be yet another coach in and out of Dallas in a relatively short period of time.

Up and Down Seasons

Dallas is guilty of a number of things, but the reason they keep losing coaches and hiring new ones is because they do not play well enough to keep someone around. Quality coaching and productivity on the ice leads to long tenures behind the bench, while mistakes and disappointment result in changes.

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Obviously the Stars fall into the latter category. Ultimately Ruff’s style of play did not go as planned. During his tenure with the team he accomplished a lot, but consistency proved to be something he and the Stars just could not overcome.

They went from making the playoffs to end the five-year drought, to missing the playoffs, to winning the Central Division Title and Western Conference in the regular season, to being eliminated weeks before the season’s conclusion. That is quite the rollercoaster for any team, but the up and down seasons over the past four years ultimately led to Ruff’s departure.

Moving Forward

Now looking ahead at who the new Stars coach will be is the focus. Jim Nill is reportedly speaking with a few options, but has yet to get anything decided and in writing.

The names of those options, however, remain unknown despite speculation.

One thing is for sure, though. Dallas is in need of a coach that can simultaneously encourage their young defensive core to play well in their own zone, while capitalizing on the Stars’ immense offensive talent.

Ruff’s style of play was troubled in many ways for Dallas, namely his continuous line changes. The next man behind the bench needs to experiment a little with lines, but find the best options and stick to them for the most part. The Stars were confused about where to be and where their line mates were on the ice, which only further magnified their mistakes.

The Stars also announced the departure of assistant coach James Patrick, the man behind the power play. This decision was also not difficult to predict given the atrocity that was the Stars’ man advantage. Hopefully they can find a replacement who will encourage the team to do basically anything other than the drop pass to gain entry and finally begin converting regularly.

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The road ahead will not be easy for Dallas and especially not for the new coach.

Hopefully Nill can find someone with experience as a winner, dedication to the team and a true understanding of Dallas Stars hockey. Until that happens, the constant turnover of coaches in Dallas will continue.