Glen Gulutzan Returns as Head Coach of the Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars have appointed Glen Gulutzan as their head coach, marking his return to the organization more than ten years after he last led the team. Previously, he was at the helm from 2011 to 2013 but struggled to guide the franchise into the postseason during his tenure, ending with a record of 42 wins against 35 losses in his first year, and a disappointing 22 wins, 22 losses, and 4 overtime losses in a lockout-shortened second season.
Previous Coaching Experience
After parting ways in May 2013, his stint was overshadowed by internal changes within the club, particularly with the appointment of new general manager Jim Nill. During his previous coaching career, the 53-year-old Gulutzan failed to secure playoff appearances in Dallas. Since then, he has gained substantial experience, including serving as an assistant coach with the Vancouver Canucks before taking on head coaching duties for the Calgary Flames from 2016 to 2018. Under his guidance, the Flames made the playoffs once, though they were eliminated in the first round.
Recent Contributions and Challenges
For the last seven seasons, he has been a key assistant with the Edmonton Oilers, contributing to their success that has seen them advance to the Stanley Cup Final in consecutive years. His work with superstars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl helped elevate the Oilers’ power play efficiency, which consistently ranked among the top in the league, including a staggering 32.4 percent success rate in his final season with the team.
Current Situation and Expectations
Gulutzan steps into a challenging situation in Dallas, where the team seeks to capitalize on their core of talent, including notable players like Jake Oettinger, Miro Heiskanen, and Roope Hintz. These young athletes are locked into long-term contracts, but the Stars face a tighter salary cap situation, which has prompted significant offseason moves, including a new contract for leading scorer Matt Duchene and the trade of Mason Marchment to manage financial flexibility.
The Stars are coming off multiple playoff exits, including a recent loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. His predecessor, Pete DeBoer, possessed an impressive record during his tenure but was ultimately dismissed due to the team’s inability to progress past the conference finals, compounded by some controversial in-game decisions. Gulutzan’s main goal will be to refine the Stars’ performance and find the winning edge that has eluded them since their last Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2020.
Overall, as Gulutzan returns to the Stars with previous insights from both his prior time with the franchise and extensive coaching experience, the pressure will be on him to maximize their current roster and transform them into a championship contender.
