The Dallas Stars are hitting the rewind button and looking to familiar territory by appointing Glen Gulutzan as their new head coach. It’s a bit of a homecoming for the 53-year-old, who previously held the same position with the Stars from 2011 to 2013. During his initial run, Gulutzan was at the helm as Dallas navigated an uncertain period marked by ownership changes. His first stint didn’t lead to playoff appearances, clocking in at 42-35-5 in the 2011-12 season and 22-22-4 in the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season. His departure came in May 2013, just after Jim Nill took over as general manager.
Fast forward to now, and Gulutzan is back in charge, filling the seat left vacant by Pete DeBoer, who was released on June 6. DeBoer had steered the Stars to the Western Conference finals in each of his three seasons but fell short against the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023 and the Edmonton Oilers in the following two seasons.
Gulutzan’s return to the NHL head coaching role marks his third installation on the big bench. Following his initial tenure in Dallas, he served as an assistant coach with the Vancouver Canucks for three seasons and then led the Calgary Flames for two years. In his first season in Calgary, his team was formidable, posting a 45-33-4 record and making it to the playoffs, although they were ousted by the Anaheim Ducks in the opening round. His second year didn’t fare as well, ending with a 37-35-10 record and missing the playoffs.
Over the last seven years, Gulutzan has been a steady presence on the Edmonton Oilers’ coaching staff. Serving under multiple head coaches, he played a key role in pushing Edmonton to the Stanley Cup Final in the last two seasons. His prowess as a well-rounded coach, particularly his effectiveness with the power play, was evident when the Oilers boasted the league’s top power-play unit for several seasons under his guidance. Engaging closely with stars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, Gulutzan engineered a power play that ranked first multiple times during his tenure.
Now at the helm of the Stars, Gulutzan inherits a squad still yearning to clinch another Stanley Cup title after falling to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2020 Final. The Stars are laced with standout talents like Jake Oettinger, Miro Heiskanen, Mikko Rantanen, Roope Hintz, and Wyatt Johnston, who are secured under long-term contracts. However, budget constraints loom, with the team brushing against the 2025-26 salary cap of $95.5 million.
The Stars have already made some significant moves during the offseason to manage their financials. They locked in leading scorer Matt Duchene with a favorable contract extension, while trading Mason Marchment to the Seattle Kraken to free up cap space. Re-signing veterans like captain Jamie Benn and securing emerging talents like Mavrik Bourque and Nils Lundqvist are part of their calculated strategy.
Yet more challenges are on the horizon. General Manager Jim Nill must navigate the tight cap space further with just $980,000 left to spare. Key players like Mikael Granlund, Evgenii Dadonov, and Colin Blackwell are pending free agents, and rising stars Thomas Harley and Jason Robertson are due for substantial contract negotiations. Robertson, who has become a scoring machine with an average of nearly 38 goals over the last four seasons, is even being floated on the trade market to gauge potential interest.
DeBoer’s Dallas reign saw him achieve an impressive 149-68-29 record with the team securing the top spot in the Central Division in 2023-24. However, his exit was hastened by playoff shortcomings and public criticism of goalie Oettinger. Nill’s decision to make a coaching change reflects a commitment to taking decisive steps forward.
For Gulutzan, the task is clear: he must propel a well-rounded, competitive team into title contention. With only one first-round draft pick available over the next three years, the Stars are clearly in win-now mode.
Reflecting on his time with the Oilers, where Gulutzan revamped their power play and capitalized on the prowess of McDavid and Draisaitl, his impact was transformative. By centering the offensive schema on these superstars, the Oilers’ power play soared to record heights, culminating in a league-best 32.4 percent success rate in 2022-23. His return to Dallas offers a chance to bring that strategic brilliance to the Stars as they aim to cement their place among the NHL’s elite.
