ELMONT, NY — Being a successful head coach at any level is about way more than the X’s and O’s. Especially in today’s day and age, managing the mental side of the game has never been more important.
Whether you’re a young player or a veteran, the pressure to be consistent is shared. Handling those emotions to get the best out of a player is an undervalued tool.
When the New York Islanders hired Pete DeBoer near the end of the 2025-26 campaign, they brought in someone with a proven track record of getting the best out of players and pushing the right buttons.
The Islanders haven’t played perfect hockey this season, going 3-3-0 out of the gate.
But DeBoer’s ability to manage his players has been a major standout early in this young season.
Look no further than Kyle Palmieri.