2025 Dallas Stars Next Coach Odds: Who Will Replace DeBoer?

After losing to the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL Western Conference Finals, the Dallas Stars fired head coach Pete DeBoer after three seasons of leading the squad. The Stars were one of the top regular-season teams in all three of DeBoer’s seasons as the Stars’ head coach, but they lost in the Western Conference Finals all three times. After DeBoer threw franchise goalie Jake Oettinger under the bus following the Stars’ elimination by the Oilers, Dallas GM Jim Nill decided to fire DeBoer. The search for the team’s next head coach now begins immediately.

With the Stars in the market for their next head coach, Bookies.com oddsmaker Adam Thompson has put together hypothetical NHL betting odds for who the Stars’ next bench boss will be.
 

Odds are projected and do not reflect any odds that may be available at legal betting sites or betting apps.

Neil Graham, Texas Stars HC (+350)

Neil Graham is currently the head coach of the Texas Stars, the Dallas Stars’ AHL affiliate, so it’s natural to consider him as DeBoer’s successor in Dallas. This is Graham’s sixth year with the Texas Stars, so it makes sense he would be in contention to get the NHL job, given he has been groomed for this role for several years now, and has worked with many of the Dallas Stars’ young players in the minor leagues before.

Jay Woodcroft, former Oilers HC (+400)

Jay Woodcroft had plenty of regular-season success in his two years with the Edmonton Oilers, but he was canned after failing to lead the team to the promised land. He may get a second chance at being a head coach, though, and the Stars will likely give him a call and interview him for the gig.

Mitch Love, Capitals AC (+425)

Mitch Love is currently an assistant coach with the Washington Capitals, who were the best team in the NHL this past regular season before losing in the playoffs. Love is going to be an NHL head coach soon, and the Stars may consider him for their job, especially if he aces a potential interview with them.

Peter Laviolette, former Rangers HC (+500)

When it comes to head coaching candidates with NHL experience, Peter Laviolette stands at the top of the pack, having coached six teams in the league, going to the finals three times, and winning the Stanley Cup once, with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2005-2006. 

Laviolette was fired by the New York Rangers after missing the playoffs, but he has to be in consideration to land the Stars’ job since he has proven he has what it takes to win the Stanley Cup in the past.

Steve Ott, Blues AC (+800)

A former player with the Dallas Stars, Steve Ott is currently an assistant coach with the St. Louis Blues, winning a Stanley Cup with the team six years ago. He deserves the chance to be a head coach in the NHL, and given his ties to Dallas, it makes sense that he would be in consideration for the head coaching gig.

Steve Ott, Blues AC (+800)

A former player with the Dallas Stars, Steve Ott is currently an assistant coach with the St. Louis Blues, winning a Stanley Cup with the team six years ago. He deserves the chance to be a head coach in the NHL, and given his ties to Dallas, it makes sense that he would be in consideration for the head coaching gig.

Dave Hakstol, former Kraken HC (+1100)

In terms of former NHL head coaches looking for another chance, Dave Hakstol should be at the top of the list. Hakstol did a good job with the expansion Seattle Kraken before being surprisingly fired two years ago. The Stars may consider giving him a shot now that they have a head coaching vacancy.

John Tortorella, former Flyers HC (+1400)

When you think about NHL head coaches with a voice, no one is heard louder than John Tortorella, who was fired this past season by the Philadelphia Flyers, his fifth stop in the league. Despite being fired by the Flyers, the fiery and controversial Tortorella is still one of the most highly-respected coaches in the league, having won the Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2003-2004. 

The Stars’ young players may need a loud and powerful voice to take their team to the next level, and Tortorella could be the guy for that job.

Derek Lalonde, former Red Wings HC (+1500)

Derek Lalonde had a rough go as the Red Wings’ head coach, missing the playoffs in both full seasons he coached the team and then getting fired this past season after a bad start to the year. Still, he will likely get another shot in the NHL as a head coach at some point, and Dallas may at least give him a call.

The Field (+1200)

The Stars have a stacked roster that, on paper, should have made the Stanley Cup Finals this year. GM Nill needs to do a thorough search for a new head coach across the league and beyond, so the field is a viable option to get hired as the Stars’ next head coach.