The San Jose Sharks have added another assistant coach to Peter DeBoer’s crew, with Dave Barr being the newest member of the coaching staff. Barr, serving as the “eye in the sky” this year (read: analyze games from the press box instead of the bench to give instant feedback), previously served under several bench bosses in Colorado, Minnesota, Buffalo, Florida, and New Jersey (where he was DeBoer’s assistant).
Per a Sharks press release:
Barr has spent the past nine seasons coaching in various capacities in the NHL, serving most recently as an associate coach of the Florida Panthers during the 2016-17 season. Prior to his time in Florida, Barr served as an NHL assistant coach for eight seasons, with stops in Buffalo (2015-16), New Jersey (2011-15), Minnesota (2009-11) and Colorado (2008-09). Barr was a member of Peter DeBoer’s coaching staff during his four-year tenure with New Jersey, helping the team reach the 2012 Stanley Cup Final.
Prior to his NHL stints, he was the head coach and GM for the Guelph Storm, winning the Matt Leyden Trophy for Coach of the Year in 2006. He was also once a very decent forward in the NHL as well, with 332 points in 614 career games for Boston, New York, St. Louis, Hartford, Detroit, New Jersey and Dallas.
Barr joins Rob Zettler (bench), Steve Spott (sigh), Johan Hedberg (goaltending), and Dan Darrow (video) on the Sharks coaching team. Having done a good job running the man-advantage unit for the Devils and Sabres, with the Devils finishing 9th overall in PP% in 2013-14, his addition may help revitalize and restructure a horrific San Jose power play.
Welcome aboard, Dave Barr!
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