Photo: Yahoo! Sports

The Vegas Golden Knights announced on Monday afternoon that head coach Pete DeBoer has been fired after the team missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in franchise history this past season.

“We would like to thank Pete DeBoer for his commitment to the Vegas Golden Knights over the past three seasons,” said Golden Knights General Manager Kelly McCrimmon. “Since joining the organization, Pete and his staff have guided us through some of the most unique and challenging circumstances we’ve witnessed since our franchise entered the NHL. After lengthy discussions over the last two weeks, we believe that a new coach will put us in the best position to succeed next season.”

** In addition to change at HC with Peter DeBoer, @GoldenKnights have moved on from Asst Coaches Ryan McGill and Steve Spott. They’ve yet to begin formal process in search of new coaching staff.** @NHL #HockeyTwitter

— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) May 16, 2022

After making the Western Conference Final in three of their first four seasons as an NHL franchise, including the 2018 Stanley Cup Final, the Golden Knights finished three points behind the Nashville Predators for the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference and five back of the Los Angeles Kings for the final postseason spot in the Pacific Division.

The team averaged 3.20 goals-per-game (12th in the NHL) and 2.98 goals-against per game (tied for 14th) this past season, when they were just 18.4% efficient on the power play (25th) and 77.4% successful on the penalty kill (21st).

The Golden Knights’ point-per-game leader from this past season in left-wing Max Pacioretty (0.95) was limited to just 39 games due to injury while captain Mark Stone (0.81 – tied for third) was held to just 37 and center Jack Eichel (0.74 – fifth) played in only 34. Left-wing Reilly Smith (56) and defenseman Alec Martinez (26) also missed large portions of the season.

In 160 regular-season games behind the Golden Knights’ bench, DeBoer led the team to a 98-50-12 record (.650 points percentage). He is 513-379-123 (.566) in 1,015 career games as an NHL head coach with the Golden Knights, San Jose Sharks, New Jersey Devils, and Florida Panthers.

The Golden Knights finished the season 15-15-5 (.500 points percentage) in their last 35 games after leading the Pacific Division with a 28-16-3 (.622) on February 8.

The Montreal Canadiens, Detroit Red Wings, Philadelphia Flyers, Winnipeg Jets, and Panthers are the only other teams currently without a head coach signed for next season.

The New York Islanders replaced head coach Barry Trotz with assistant Lane Lambert on Monday.

By Harrison Brown