The Edmonton Oilers are at a crossroads, and whispers of a coaching change are echoing through the halls of Rogers Place. While the team’s performance teeters, General Manager Ken Holland appears steadfast—for now—in his support for Head Coach Jay Woodcroft.
Yet, the NHL is a results-driven league, and the patience of both Oiler fans and management can be as thin as freshly zambonied ice.
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Assessing the Potential for an Edmonton Oilers Coaching Shift
NHL Insiders Pierre LeBrun and Darren Dreger have shed light on Holland’s reluctance to initiate a coaching overhaul during TSN’s NHL Insider Trading, but they also acknowledge the contingency plan: Assistant Coach Glen Gulutzan could step into the limelight should the Oilers’ trajectory not correct.
The Oilers’ narrative isn’t just about the man behind the bench; it’s a saga that involves the entire organization. Owner Daryl Katz, along with his advisors, is hands-on in the quest for a remedy to the Oilers’ woes. Dreger emphasizes the looming possibility of trading away future assets to revitalize the current lineup. This urgency underscores a larger question: is the coaching staff the catalyst for change, or is a roster shakeup imminent?
Woodcroft’s position seems secure, yet it’s Goalie Coach Dustin Schwartz who might hear the ticking of the clock the loudest. Since 2014, Schwartz has been tasked with fortifying the Oilers’ net-minding, but as the pucks slip past the goal line, so too does confidence in his methods.
What are Oiler fans saying about a potential goalie change?
Jay Woodcroft needs to go! He has not developed any system that helps his goaltenders. How many odd man rushes do you expect to give up in one game?
The Oilers should see if Marc-Andre Fleury is available for a trade.
If the Oilers lose to the Sharks tomorrow, Woodcroft will be fired.
