The reasons behind the head coach's exit are multifaceted. His replacement might not be any more straightforward.

Dallas Stars coach Pete DeBoer has been fired after three seasons with the team, getting to the Western Conference final each time but never advancing past that for a shot at the Stanley Cup.

Calming the waters. That was the phrase Stars general manager Jim Nill used more than once Friday afternoon as he talked about his firing of Coach Pete DeBoer earlier in the day. The Stars want to calm the waters.