Florida Panthers coach Paul Maurice set aside his focus on the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Final to comment on the firing of his friend and colleague Pete DeBoer as head coach of the Dallas Stars, following three consecutive seasons ending in the Western Conference Finals.

Despite strong regular-season performances, DeBoer was unable to lead the team beyond the conference finals in the playoffs, after a Game 5 loss to the powerful Edmonton Oilers led by captain Connor McDavid. Unable to elevate the performance of the team led by star Mikko Rantanen, his tenure came to an end.

Maurice and DeBoer have known each other for a long time, and the Panthers coach was close to facing DeBoer in the league final if Dallas had defeated Edmonton. Currently, with Florida playing the series against the Oilers

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