Glen Gulutzan's return to Dallas Stars as head coach creates huge void on Edmonton Oilers' bench
Glen Gulutzan is set to return to the Dallas Stars as head coach. Glen Gulutzan, the mastermind of the Edmonton Oilers' dynastic power play and go-to guru for superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, is leaving after seven notable seasons in the Edmonton Oilers.
With a reported multi-year contract on the horizon, his departure is both a new chance for the Dallas Stars and a major test for the Edmonton Oilers' coaching staff.
Glen Gulutzan's return to the
NHL
as head coach highlights growth and unfinished business
Glen Gulutzan's return to the Dallas Stars, where he initially stepped into the NHL head coaching ranks more than a decade ago, is a full-circle experience.
'I think Gully had a tremendous rapport with McDavid and Draisaitl,' said long-time colleague Perry Pearn.
"Connor and Leon respected him. He learned some things about the power play from them, but they learned some things from Gully too. There was that mutual respect. 'There was also a level of comfort that if things weren't going well, Gully would figure out a way to change things. That's one of his strong points…his ability to work with the top players, to get them onside, to get a buy-in.
He got the top guys to buy in, so it was easy for the other guys."
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Bring home all new SP125 & get an instant cashback up to ₹5000#
Honda
Learn More
Undo
Over the past five regular seasons, the Oilers' power play led the NHL with an average success rate of 27.4%, peaking at 32.4% in 2022-23. Glen Gulutzan's departure now forces Edmonton to rethink its offensive blueprint, particularly in man-advantage situations.
Glen Gulutzan Expected To Be Dallas Stars Next Head Coach | DLLS Stars Emergency Pod
Replacing a man with Gulutzan's institutional acumen and profound trust won't be simple for the Edmonton Oilers. In addition to operating the league's most intimidating power play, he provided flexibility and a consistent voice in the locker room.
Assistant coaches Paul Coffey, Mark Stuart, and goaltending coach Dustin Schwartz similarly have their futures in doubt, with expiring deals and no extensions revealed to this point.
'If you look, some of the best coaches in the league, most of them had a first-time stint somewhere and in a lot of cases it wasn't a long one…Jacques Martin, Joel Quenneville, Claude Julien, Tom Renney. It's a big learning curve to get everything right in the NHL as a head coach,' Pearn added.
Internally, the Oilers could try to promote a familiar face or bring in an outside candidate with a power-play resume. In either case, whoever replaces him will have high expectations, with a window of contention still very much open for Edmonton.
Also read:
NHL free agency gets hotter as $7.5 million salary cap surge fuels wild bidding wars
Glen Gulutzan's return to the Dallas Stars as head coach leaves a leadership deficit on the Oilers bench as well. With coaching dominoes still falling throughout the NHL, both organizations will be tested by how effectively they manage these critical transitions.
Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Brock Boeser turned down bigger Maple Leafs offer to stay loyal to Canucks in $50.75M deal
In a surprising twist to the NHL offseason, Vancouver Canucks forward Brock Boeser has reportedly turned down a more lucrative contract offer from the Toronto Maple Leafs to stay in Vancouver. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The decision, revealed by NHL insider Nick Kypreos in the Toronto Star, reinforces Boeser's deep-rooted loyalty to the team he has called home for nine seasons. Toronto's short-term money couldn't match Vancouver's long-term commitment As the Maple Leafs reshaped their roster after trading Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights, they aggressively pursued free agents. One of their targets was Brock Boeser, who had just completed a solid season with 25 goals and 50 points in 75 games. According to Nick Kypreos, 'The word is that the Leafs may have offered a higher annual salary than the $7.25 million (U.S.) that he took to stay with the Vancouver Canucks, but on a much shorter-term deal than the seven years he agreed to.' Boeser instead signed a seven-year, $50.75 million contract with the Canucks, averaging $7.25 million annually—underscoring his desire for stability and commitment to a team that has stuck with him through ups and downs. Canucks' top-line trust and legacy role likely influenced his decision Boeser's chemistry with linemates Elias Pettersson and Jake DeBrusk remains a key component of Vancouver's offense. Having reached a career-high 40 goals in the 2023-24 season, Boeser has clearly proven his worth as a top-line sniper, and the Canucks have rewarded that loyalty. NHL insider Daniele Franceschi commented on The FAN Morning Show that Toronto missed out on a golden opportunity: 'They (Leafs) certainly had enough flexibility to make it all happen... I think it would have been an interesting fit, obviously not as complete a player as Mitch Marner, but if you talk about just the star power and certainly the goal-scoring upside.' Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Franceschi also noted that Boeser's experience handling pressure in the Canadian market could have made him a valuable asset in Toronto—something Marner, he suggested, struggled with. Also Read: As the Leafs continue to search for their next offensive star, Boeser's decision sends a clear message: sometimes, stability, familiarity, and loyalty outweigh short-term financial gains.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Edmonton Oilers' interest in Carter Hart sends disturbing message to sexual assault survivors
Oilers are reportedly considering signing Carter Hart (Getty Images) The Edmonton Oilers' goaltending situation has come under sharp scrutiny after back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances ended in disappointment. Now, in a bold and controversial twist, the Oilers are reportedly exploring the possibility of signing Carter Hart—pending major legal and league developments. Legal cloud over Carter Hart 's future complicates Oilers' interest NHL insider Kevin Weekes has hinted that there is 'mutual interest' between Hart and the Oilers, despite the shadow of the 2018 Hockey Canada sexual assault investigation still looming over the young goalie's future. While Hart hasn't played in the NHL since stepping away in 2024, he remains a high-upside netminder with untapped potential—if cleared to return. Hart is one of five players currently facing accusations in connection with the 2018 Hockey Canada sexual assault case. His future in the NHL will depend entirely on the outcome of the trial and any disciplinary measures the league may impose. For the Oilers, who already faced backlash for hiring Stan Bowman—linked to the Chicago Blackhawks' Kyle Beach scandal—adding Hart would risk igniting another public relations firestorm. As one columnist put it: 'It is nothing short of a PR nightmare if the Oilers consider signing him.' Still, the potential fit is undeniable from a hockey standpoint. Hart, an Edmonton native and longtime friend of current Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner, could theoretically help shore up the team's goaltending woes. In his last NHL season, Hart posted a respectable 2.80 GAA and .906 save percentage in 25 starts for the Flyers. Over his career, he's played 227 games with a .906 SV%—solid numbers for a 25-year-old with room to grow. President of hockey operations Stan Bowman has publicly identified goaltending and forward depth as key areas needing improvement. With the team aiming to get 'faster and younger,' Hart checks both boxes—on paper. But given the gravity of the allegations surrounding him, even speculation of his signing is polarizing the fanbase. Also Read: Who is Carter Hart? The Canadian hockey star accused in the Hockey Canada sexual assault scandal For now, it's all speculation. But if Hart is cleared legally, and if the Oilers are willing to weather the backlash, this potential move could become the most controversial transaction of the 2025 offseason. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here . Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
Sidney Crosby to Montreal Canadiens? NHL insider hints at shocking post-Olympics move amid Penguins rebuild
Sidney Crosby might leave the Pittsburgh Penguins for the Montreal Canadiens (Getty Images_ Could the face of the Pittsburgh Penguins be skating toward a new home in 2026? NHL insider Nick Kypreos believes it's more than just a rumor. During a recent appearance on Sportsnet 590 The Fan, Kypreos floated a bombshell idea—Sidney Crosby, the long-time Penguins captain and one of the league's all-time greats, could be heading to the Montreal Canadiens after the 2026 Winter Olympics. Sidney Crosby trade rumors heat up as NHL insider hints at move to rising Canadiens 'Wait till they get Sid Crosby after the Olympics,' Kypreos teased, leaving hosts Justin Bourne and Sam McKee visibly stunned. When challenged to elaborate, Kypreos didn't back down: 'I'm liking the odds a little better than I did maybe a few weeks ago. Something's going on in Pitt. Things are going on. Things are going on…' Though Kypreos didn't dive into specifics, he pointed to what many believe is an impending rebuild in Pittsburgh. The Penguins have missed the playoffs for two consecutive seasons, signaling the possible end of an era. With aging stars and no clear path to contention, speculation is growing that the team may be heading toward a teardown. 'He's too good right now to just be a babysitter for the next three years,' Kypreos emphasized. 'It will be such a disservice to the history of our game if we watch him stay in Pittsburgh the next three or four years.' The Montreal Canadiens, valued at over $3 billion, are an ideal landing spot for Crosby, should the Penguins part ways with their longtime leader. The Habs are a young team on the rise and could greatly benefit from Crosby's experience and leadership. Analysts already envision Crosby anchoring the top line, with captain Nick Suzuki sliding into the second center spot, while Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook could shift down or to the wings. Also Read: NHL Predictions: 3-time All-Star Ryan Suter likely to retire as market interest fades in offseason Though it remains a hypothetical scenario, Kypreos' comments have sparked serious intrigue across the hockey world. As the NHL edges closer to the 2026 Olympics, all eyes will be on Pittsburgh—and whether Crosby's final chapters might be written in a different jersey. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here . Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
