Dallas Stars coaching rumors: Jim Montgomery emerging as favorite
Jim Montgomery is expected to be named the next coach of the Dallas Stars
After a lackluster 2016-17 season, the Dallas Stars hired Ken Hitchcock to be their head coach. One year later, they’re looking for a coach again. The Stars have reportedly set their sights on University of Denver head coach Jim Montgomery.
According to Francois Ganon of RDS, the two sides are expected to agree to a deal, perhaps as soon as the end of the week. Montgomery got a lot of attention last offseason and was one of the finalists for the Florida Panthers head coaching vacancy before he declined. He also got some interest from the Los Angeles Kings.
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Montgomery has had success everywhere he has coached. He is one of the most respected coaches in college hockey, known for building cultures wherever he has gone. Montgomery led the University of Denver Pioneers to the 2017 National Title in men’s hockey. He has also served as an assistant coach at Notre Dame and RPI.
In 2010, Montgomery went to the USHL to be the head coach for the then-expansion Dubuque Fighting Saints. He proceeded to lead them a winning season in their inaugural year and to the USHL championship just one year later.
Why Montgomery Is The Right Guy For The Stars
One thing the Dallas Stars have lacked in recent years is a strong culture. Jim Montgomery is the right guy to create one. He knows how to win and has been successful at multiple levels of coaching. Montgomery’s teams rely heavily on possession and speed, along with a strong forecheck.
This perfectly fits the Stars, who need a coach who can adapt to the modern day NHL. Hitchcock is one of the best head coaches of all-time. But he couldn’t do that. Neither could former Stars head coach Lindy Ruff.
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Montgomery should help the Stars build something special. He’s also not afraid to trust his young players. Montgomery has proven he’ll go with younger players if they’re playing better than the veterans. He’s also a former Stars player, so he has a connection to the community in Dallas.
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