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DeBoer: Playoff collapse played a big role in Sharks’ 2014-15 struggles

San Jose Sharks Name Peter Deboer Head Coach

San Jose Sharks Name Peter Deboer Head Coach

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Despite the tomorrow team talk in the summer of 2014, the San Jose Sharks entered the season with something to prove after suffering a humbling reverse sweep at the hands of the Los Angeles Kings. Instead, San Jose regressed further by failing to make the playoffs at all.

Peter DeBoer has since taken over the head coaching duties from Todd McLellan and after getting a chance to talk with the Sharks’ players, he was left with the impression that their 2014 first round collapse “dragged into last season and played a big part in what happened there,” per Sportsnet.

He suggested continually answering questions about what happened in the 2014 playoffs was part of the reason it continued to hang over them. It nevertheless is in contrast to what happened in Boston, as the Philadelphia’s 2010 reverse sweep of the Bruins was followed by Boston’s 2011 Stanley Cup championship. Regardless, DeBoer feels they are ready to put that unfortunate chapter in their franchise’s history behind them.

The fact that there was a coaching change might help as it will provide them clear separation from the past as well as a fresh opportunity.

“It will be their first different voice in years. They had a great run, but now it’s time for a different look,” DeBoer said.

Follow @RyanDadoun