SAN JOSE — As much as several Sharks players respected Pete DeBoer and other members of his coaching staff, they feel it might have been time for a change.
“Probably, yeah,” said center Joe Thornton, who will be playing in his 1,600th career NHL game Thursday when the Sharks host the New York Rangers. “I love Pete. Pete’s a fantastic coach. He took this team to where it’s never been before. Nothing but heavy respect for Pete.
“But it might have been time for a new voice.”
A day after DeBoer and assistants Steve Spott, Dave Barr and Johan Hedberg were let go by the Sharks (15-16-2), the team went through their first full morning skate Thursday with Bob Boughner as head coach and members of the new staff.