Peter DeBoer reported as next Sharks coach

The San Jose Sharks have reportedly found a new head coach: Peter DeBoer.

According to ESPN, the Sharks will announce the hiring of DeBoer by the end of the week to take over the reigns in San Jose.

DeBoer, 46, has seven years of NHL coaching experience — three with the Florida Panthers and four with the New Jersey Devils. He most notably guided the Devils to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2012, a season in which his team notched 102 points but fell to the Los Angeles Kings in the championship.

The 2011-2012 season was DeBoer’s lone playoff berth as head coach. He narrowly missed the playoffs with the Panthers in his rookie year behind the bench, and was fired two years later after back-to-back sub par campaigns. He never made it back to the playoffs with the Devils following his first season in New Jersey, and was fired last December 26 after a 12-17-7 start.

DeBoer’s career record stands at 205-183-70, and he is expected to replace one of the most successful coaches in Sharks history in Todd McLellan, whose 311 wins ranks first in franchise history.

McLellan parted ways with the Sharks after seven seasons at the helm, and was named head coach of the Edmonton Oilers last week.

The Sharks hope DeBoer can reinvigorate the team similar to his efforts in Florida and New Jersey, which saw instant success after hiring the Ontario, Canada native. DeBoer preaches puck possession, a style of play which suits the Sharks.

San Jose finished with a 40-33-9 record last season, missing the playoffs for the first time in a decade.