The New Jersey announced the firing of head coach Pete DeBoer. Deboer had been the bench boss for the Devils since July of 2011. Lou Lamoriello annouced the firing on the 26th. No new coach will be hired until after the season.
For now, former Capitals coach Adam Oates will coach the forwards. Former defenseman and NHL Hall of Famer Scott Stevens will coach the defense and Lamoriello will also be on the bench to oversee things.
In his three plus years, DeBoer went 114-93-41. New Jersey went all the way to the finals in his first year but missed the playoffs the next two seasons. DeBoer was 205-183-70 as an NHL head coach with New Jersey and Florida.
Prior to making the jump to the NHL, DeBoer spent 13 seasons as an OHL head coach. He started in Detroit with the Detroit Whalers from 1995-97, the Plymouth Whalers from 97-01 and the Kitchner Rangers from 01-08 winning the Memorial Cup in 2003. He is a part owner of the Oshawa Generals.
Mumps in Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Penguins are the latest team to experience an outbreak of the mumps. All together five players have been diagnosed with the disease since the beginning of December. Winger Steve Downie and goalie Thomas Greiss are the latest to join the list.
Downie and Greiss join Sidney Crosby, Olli Maatta and Beau Bennett as Penguins who tested positive for the disease. They did get lucky as Brandon Sutter tested negative for the mumps All told, 20 players have been diagnosed with the Mumps so far this season.
Staal Set to Return for Carolina
For the first time this season, Eric Staal will have his brother in the lineup with him. Jordan Staal will play his first game of the season tonight for the Carolina Hurricanes. Staal broke a bone in his leg during a preseason game against the Sabres.
In his two seasons in Carolina, Staal has 25 goals, 46 assists for 71 points. Throughout his career, he has been known as a very good defensive forward. He was nominated for the Selke Trophy back in 2009. He signed a 10 year, 60 million dollar extension back in 2012.
League Leaders through 12/28/14
Goals – Seguin 25
Assists – Voracek 32
Points – Voracek 46
Plus/Minus – T. Johnson, Forsberg +24
Wins – Rinne 23
Shutouts – Fleury 6
Bill Minchin is a contributing writer for Flyerdelphia. Follow Bill on Twitter @wtfd103074
