Welcome to Friday’s Burning Questions, a weekly feature answering queries submitted by actual readers. The world is packed with stupid people. Walk out your front door, throw a stone in any direction and you’re bound to hit one. However, there are no stupid questions, so get them in by Twitter to @rygarner or e-mail at [email protected].
So pretty simple question. Where do the Edmonton Oilers go from this point now that the season is toast (most likely)?
- Blow it up? Move some of the core?
- Sell off assets, gun for Connor McDavid, and prepare for next season?
- Or make management and coaching changes then go from there?
Carson D.
All of the above, because a single move (regardless of size or scope) won’t fix things overnight. The season is over, the playoffs aren’t happening, and it’s going to take a major turnaround just to match last year’s 67 points. But wins and losses don’t matter anymore. It doesn’t make any difference if the Oilers finish 12th or 14th in the Western Conference, I just want to root for a competitive team again, and that’s why the Oilers should make significant changes throughout the entire organization.
The first move should be a massive housecleaning. Blake Robert, a good friend of mine and future Alberta Premier, said the only legitimate reason for Dallas Eakins and Kevin Lowe NOT to be on a plane out of Edmonton tomorrow is that they're waiting for a seat sale. I couldn’t agree more. Lowe’s time is up after 14 years—three playoff appearances—of failure, Craig MacTavish proved he couldn’t sufficiently address issues at any position, and Eakins failed to get the most out of his players.
The new faces are anybody’s guess, but they couldn’t produce worse results. The Oilers are among the worst franchises in professional sports, just look at the numbers. Whoever takes over should make each roster decision by asking, “Is this what a playoff team would do?” For example, would a playoff team employ a head coach without previous NHL experience? A goaltending tandem composed of career backups? Justin Schultz? If the answer is no, then don’t do those things. Simple stuff.
If you’re unsure what a playoff team would do, please don’t go with your gut and hope for the best. Please don’t take the easy way out like MacTavish did, picking up sub-par stopgaps rather than dealing value for value. Each season, 16 playoff teams offer a blueprint to help us understand what works. If the majority of them are using first-time NHL coaches, unproven backup goalies, or Justin Schultz then go right ahead. However, if it doesn’t work for them then don’t assume it will work for you.
The next move is carving out the team’s toxic core. I don’t have emotional attachment to anyone in the organization, from Jordan Eberle to Justin Schultz to Jujhar Khaira. Anyone can go. Once upon a time Ales Hemsky and Ryan Smyth produced some positive playoff memories, but they’re gone, and I don’t see any hope for the future with this core. It’s encouraging to hear that Eberle was embarrassed by Saturday’s 7-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, but blowouts have happened for years.
Taylor Hall is the “untouchable one” and a fantastic player, but I’m tired of hearing him whine about the results rather than stepping up to change them. Where’s the leadership? How long do we wait? Everyone should be placed on the trading block, without exception. Figure out what kind of return each player can bring, then decide who’s worth keeping around and which players you can kick to the curb. If Wayne Gretzky can go any of the current Oilers can, because they’re far from greatness.
Edmonton doesn’t need to sell pieces or make a conscious effort to tank for Connor McDavid. Assuming they’ve been trying to win the last 21 games, the Oilers are on pace for the worst season in franchise history. Losing has become second nature for this team, and McDavid would be a terrific consolation prize for another wasted season. However, the Oilers should prepare for next season by acquiring gritty, hard-working, reliable two-way players up front and defensive stalwarts on the back end.
What exactly is the reason (Edmonton Oilers owner Daryl) Katz would allow the firing of Eakins? Katz is known to be only interested in his money, which I don’t blame him. People who disagree with this, remember he did threaten to move this team to Seattle when the arena was completely up in the air.
Say they do fire Eakins and hire another coach. That puts Katz down $2M (or whatever amount Eakins is getting paid) PLUS the salary of Krueger, which is probably being paid for the next year or so. A move which may NOT fix this team will come to Katz at a cost of $2M (or $4M added together if you combine the mistakes).
As much as I want to see Eakins gone, as I don’t think he’s the right man for this team and someone like Dan Bylsma might be, I’m not sure it’s worth it from Katz’s perspective to do it. It’s not like he’s going to make more money off a winning team. We’re sold out EVERY game.
Thoughts on this? Agree, or am I just living in my own world here?
J.D.
Interesting points here, so let me address each one. First, maybe I’m being completely naïve or downright stupid (I’ve been accused of both, with my accusers making some valid points) but I don’t think Katz cares that much about money. Who buys a hockey team to make money? From a business standpoint, it doesn’t make sense. He dangled Seattle as a negotiating tactic to get the arena deal done, increasing the franchise value, fan experience, revenue, etc., but it’s not all about dollars.
I genuinely believe that Katz wants the Oilers to win, but he’s made some mistakes and put his trust in the wrong people trying to achieve that goal. With that in mind, I don’t think he keeps Eakins around because he’s worried about the amount remaining on his contract. Whatever the exact dollar figure is, it’s chump change in the grand scheme of things. Katz has proven that he’s not a penny-pincher, and if a move is going to help the team win hockey games he’s willing to dish out the dough.
It’s true that Rexall Place is sold out every night, win or lose, but a winning team would translate to a lot more money. A postseason appearance would be huge, as playoff revenue balloons thanks to increased ticket sales, merchandise, concessions, etc. and helps the brand by boosting interest, sponsorships and momentum. It might seem the Oilers are squeezing every dollar they can, but winning would produce a windfall. Even if Katz is all about the Benjamins, he benefits a lot more by icing a winner.
In honour of ESPN's ranking of NHL coaches, I would like somebody, with some actual knowledge of what hockey is, to rank them.
Aaron B.
It’s always tough to quantify exactly how much impact a coach has on his team. However, I’m up for the challenge, ranking all 30 NHL bench bosses from worst to best in a group of six brackets based on former Oilers coaches.
George Burnett Bracket
30. Dallas Eakins – Bad special teams, roster mismanagement, totally lost.
29. Paul MacLean – Tactically weak and doesn’t get most out of players.
28. Jack Capuano – Haircut popular among seven-year-olds hurts him.
27. Bill Peters – Limited NHL resume, but wins everywhere he goes.
26. Ted Nolan – Not much to work with, but not doing himself any favours.
Tom Renney Bracket
25. Lindy Ruff – Criminally overrated, weaknesses coming to light in Dallas.
24. Todd McLellan – Underachieved since he took over as Sharks coach.
23. Paul Maurice – Issues linger about teams’ identity and consistency.
22. Patrick Roy – Thrives on emotion, which produces huge swings.
21. Mike Johnston – Seems solid, but time will prove his coaching impact.
Ted Green Bracket
20. Mike Yeo – Strong, silent type doesn’t inspire much confidence.
19. Craig Berube – Former enforcer doesn’t show any brain issues.
18. Todd Richards – Underrated, but excellent at line matching tactics.
17. Randy Carlyle – Cagey vet always one loss away from the hot seat.
16. Peter DeBoer – Juggling experienced lineup a very difficult task.
Ron Low Bracket
15. Gerard Gallant – Looks like a diamond in the rough. Quality coach.
14. Bob Hartley – Turning the Flames into a legitimate contender? Nah.
13. Michel Therrien – No one-trick pony, results follow him everywhere.
12. Bruce Boudreau – Players love his communication; calms the waters.
11. Jon Cooper – Tampa boss next big thing in the NHL coaching ranks.
John Muckler Bracket
10. Peter Laviolette – He’ll make any team win, but impact diminishes.
9. Willie Desjardins – Paid his dues, making most of NHL opportunity.
8. Mike Babcock – Face like a catcher’s mitt, solid as a catcher’s crouch.
7. Alain Vigneault – Underrated, but belongs among the league’s best.
6. Claude Julien – Goes to war for his players, regardless of situation.
Glen Sather Bracket
5. Barry Trotz – Calming influence; could be most respected of the bunch.
4. Dave Tippett – His teams always have an unmistakable identity.
3. Ken Hitchcock – Saves teams from destruction, defensive wizard.
2. Joel Quenneville – Squeezed blood from a stone, best from the worst.
1. Darryl Sutter – NHL’s Zen master provided best quote of the season so far. Speaking about team bonding: “I’m not into that. You hear about climbing ropes, going to a fort somewhere. You do most of your bonding in May and June. If you've got to go somewhere to learn about your personality, you probably have a disorder.”
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