Who's a better available coach? Hitchcock? These "Players" coaches are not getting the job done.

McClellan is coaching with a noose dangling in his face knowing his assistant is ready and supposedly capable (?). Can't be a comfortable environment in that locker room and won't be until they string a pile of wins together.
- EdmontonLawyer

I'm so sick of that argument. No one is guaranteed to be better but they ARE guaranteed to bring a different approach and incorporate a style that may mesh better with the roster we have. What would you rather have:

1.) a guy we know isn't consistently able to get the most of his players and who is regularly outcoached (with a track record of such in the playoffs)

2.) a chance at a guy who might be able to this

I know my answer.

As for player's coaches not working, how are you defining "player's coach"? Gallant and Cooper seem like the most prominent examples and they seem to be doing great.

He is doing that to show Puljujarvi the intensity he is looking for

It will be a classic showdown between McLellan and Hakstol, the Hakker should have been gone two years ago, by far the worst coach in the nhl.

I'm so sick of that argument. No one is guaranteed to be better but they ARE guaranteed to bring a different approach and incorporate a style that may mesh better with the roster we have. What would you rather have:

1.) a guy we know isn't consistently able to get the most of his players and who is regularly outcoached (with a track record of such in the playoffs)

2.) a chance at a guy who might be able to this

I know my answer.

As for player's coaches not working, how are you defining "player's coach"? Gallant and Cooper seem like the most prominent examples and they seem to be doing great.
- MaximumBone

Well said Maximum, Edmonton has not had a coach for several years now and it is the primary reason why they can not move forward, just like Hakstol and Coma man Hextall in Philadelphia. Gallant is the best coach in hockey right now imo and Cooper is there too despite having a boatload of talent to work with. Sure looks like Cooper knew what he was doing with loser Drouin who has proved to be more of a liability than an asset.

Well said Maximum, Edmonton has not had a coach for several years now and it is the primary reason why they can not move forward, just like Hakstol and Coma man Hextall in Philadelphia. Gallant is the best coach in hockey right now imo and Cooper is there too despite having a boatload of talent to work with. Sure looks like Cooper knew what he was doing with loser Drouin who has proved to be more of a liability than an asset.
- joegreif17

That's 'Boner' to you

For a league which is getting younger and younger and adapting to new ideas and strategies, Todd McLellan has the bearings of a man set in his ways.
- Sean Maloughney

If it makes you feel any better, Phil Housley, in his 2nd year as a head coach also seems set in his ways.

Almost as baffling as Rattie on the top line.
- mixturebill

WHats baffling about that? He produces there and with a guy like McDavid you don’t need 2 6million plus wingers.

Its unbelievable. As well as lucic on the second line. This team should be exciting to watch and I cant even bring myself to tune in. The coach is an idiot.
- Thunder_daddy

Well last Saturday Lucic was far and away the best Oiler, so maybe you don’t know (frank) all either? then again, it’s not like you watched the team you so expertly commented on so perhaps I should temper expectations.

Saw this Gem on Ek’s poopty thread.

how about Alzner / Sherbak or Hudon plus a 2nd for Nurse
- ginovegas

How about you shove that poopty trade proposal up your cornhole?

The last part was me.

Well last Saturday Lucic was far and away the best Oiler, so maybe you don’t know (frank) all either? then again, it’s not like you watched the team you so expertly commented on so perhaps I should temper expectations.
- ChuckSchuldiner

- Reveen.

Well last Saturday Lucic was far and away the best Oiler, so maybe you don’t know (frank) all either? then again, it’s not like you watched the team you so expertly commented on so perhaps I should temper expectations.
- ChuckSchuldiner

So he was the MVP of the special Olympics? Saying he was good for 1 game out of the last 100 isnt saying much. Let's see if he shows up next game.

Saw this Gem on Ek’s poopty thread.




The last part was me.
- ChuckSchuldiner

Yah.....that is a horrible offer....response justified.

Out of curiosity....Nylander and Nurse as main trade components...who adds moreto make that dea, or does a 1-for-1 workl? As a Leafs fan, I am thinking Oilers would add more....curious if Oilers fans would agree, or think Leafs should be adding.

WHats baffling about that? He produces there and with a guy like McDavid you don’t need 2 6million plus wingers.
- ChuckSchuldiner

Yamamoto is on his ELC. It's baffling because usually you want to give your team the best chance to succeed... and putting some scrub on the top line so McDavid can carry them is not setting your team up with the best chance to succeed. Put another talented offensive player together with McDavid/RNH and their top line could be lethal instead of just being carried by McDavid. Also putting Yamamoto on the top line opens up the 2nd line spot for Puljujarvi, and then you can put Rattie in the bottom 6. I just think that's setting your team up a little better to succeed.

So he was the MVP of the special Olympics? Saying he was good for 1 game out of the last 100 isnt saying much. Let's see if he shows up next game.
- wreckage

Agreed but he “should be” on the 2nd line if you’re going off talent and ability. If he gets pushed down that’s on him. People here are expecting him to play well below his level, and he earned that, but on paper he’s our 2nd best scoring LW. 2LW is his job to lose, and nobody has done anything yet to take that spot. I don’t see the point in punishing him for last season.

Yah.....that is a horrible offer....response justified.

Out of curiosity....Nylander and Nurse as main trade components...who adds moreto make that dea, or does a 1-for-1 workl? As a Leafs fan, I am thinking Oilers would add more....curious if Oilers fans would agree, or think Leafs should be adding.
- bullethead7

I don’t think anyone outside of Ontario sees Nylander as much more than a young Jordan Eberle or Jeff Skinner. We need to add defence, if anything, we have enough talent up front if players play to expectations.

Yamamoto is on his ELC. It's baffling because usually you want to give your team the best chance to succeed... and putting some scrub on the top line so McDavid can carry them is not setting your team up with the best chance to succeed. Put another talented offensive player together with McDavid/RNH and their top line could be lethal instead of just being carried by McDavid. Also putting Yamamoto on the top line opens up the 2nd line spot for Puljujarvi, and then you can put Rattie in the bottom 6. I just think that's setting your team up a little better to succeed.
- mixturebill

Look at the scoring results with Rattie on that line last year, and not at draft position, NHL games played, etc. Rattie earned that spot in pre season. Sometimes ‘scrubs’ are what a superstar like McD needs to compliment them. It might not be sexy but so far it’s been getting the job done.

Clearly you haven’t watched the games, or are making a judgement over one game so far this season. Do your research and come back later.

Good blog. Agree 100% on pretty much everything except the broken roster part.

I believe the roster is an above average one at worst with a healthy Sekera that is.

I would have turfed Mclellan after game one. He clearly is part of the reason the Oilers are/have struggled.

Hoping for a big win but if not ill take a big loss if it means Mclellan gets fired after the game. Hard to see him part of the organization moving forward barring an incredible season from the Oilers.

Chiarelli deserves to be fired before McLellan. He's the one that ruined the team and made McLellan's job difficult.

Well last Saturday Lucic was far and away the best Oiler, so maybe you don’t know (frank) all either? then again, it’s not like you watched the team you so expertly commented on so perhaps I should temper expectations.
- ChuckSchuldiner

Oh look, Lucic had one good game since being an Oiler.

Look at the scoring results with Rattie on that line last year, and not at draft position, NHL games played, etc. Rattie earned that spot in pre season. Sometimes ‘scrubs’ are what a superstar like McD needs to compliment them. It might not be sexy but so far it’s been getting the job done.

Clearly you haven’t watched the games, or are making a judgement over one game so far this season. Do your research and come back later.
- ChuckSchuldiner

Wasn't looking to start in internet war bud, obviously I just have a different opinion than you. Have a good one!

You actually think there is a coach out there that can do something with that defense ?

Saw this Gem on Ek’s poopty thread.




The last part was me.
- ChuckSchuldiner

You must be really proud of that one.

You actually think there is a coach out there that can do something with that defense ?
- Allforhim12

What worries me is it will probably be Gulutzan who replaces Tmac… Really ,what other options are there ? Tippet ? Ralph Krueger , MacTavish ?


Agreed tho, a change is needed..

Oh look, Lucic had one good game since being an Oiler.
- LeafGuy89

One good game in over 2 seasons? Cool. Dolt.