Nill said the controversy surrounding the benching of goalie Jake Oettinger was a factor in the decision to fire DeBoer, but not the only reason.

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.

Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill took questions from reporters Friday afternoon, hours after announcing the team is parting ways with head coach Pete DeBoer following another loss in the Western Conference Final.