Coach Candidates

[Soundwave]

I can see it being Kris Knoblauch. Probably makes McDavid happy, which the Oilers are probably keen to do given the crap they've put him through, and he's a younger (probably cheaper) coach to relate to younger players with.

After seeing this team under Hitch I think it's clear this group, being this young, doesn't take to that kind of old-school/hard-ass coach. It wears out very quickly.

 

[nuck]

Quenneville for sure, but this is not a gig he would have interest in, any more than Yzerman would for GM. The sample was small, but I wish they had gone with Todd Nelson before. I would be okay with him getting his shot. Others have said Vigneault, and I think he has done more with less than TM ever did.

 

[gordonhught]

Hire MacT and call it a day.

 

[PKSpecialist]

I'm going to throw a name out there that hasn't been discussed, but I liked him as a candidate the year before Columbus hired him. SCOTT ARNIEL.

I know his track record as an NHL coach wasn't great, but he was only given a year and a half, and if you go back and look at the roster of the team he coached, it may have had less talent than our current roster. He's also gotten a lot more experience since then. I can't remember what, if any issues there were in Columbus back then other than the roster, but I am a firm believer in second chances, and I think Eakins is going to get his....wouldn't mind seeing Arniel get one as well.

 

[rboomercat90]

Considering Woodcroft has 1 year of experience as a Head Coach I would be hesitant. Let him coach down there for a couple years.

Said this in another thread but I think it bears repeating. Let Woodcroft over ripen in Bakersfield for a while. No way he should even be in the conversation for head coach next year. He’s way too inexperienced. Two or three years from now, when the team is looking for a head coach again, if he’s still doing well on the farm is when he can be considered. If he’s still doing well at that point then I’d expect him to be the front runner for that job. There’s no need for anymore knee-jerk reactions for filling important positions. That’s how we got into this mess in the first place. There needs to be some thought put into who is the best choice for this group right now, for a change.

 

[Aceboogie]

Sam Hallam, 2 time SHL coach of the year

The Coach’s Challenge: Sam Hallam is one of the top European candidates to land an NHL coaching role

 

[TheSpecialist]

I like the idea of bringing Todd Nelson back. The guy has the credentials coming off a Calder Cup championship with Grand Rapids 2 seasons ago and already knows where the game is trending. It's just too bad that Dallas has not made him look good this season.

 

[Duder54]

Hire MacT and call it a day.

Wouldn't surprise me in the least if this actually happened...

 

[onetweasy]

A very small part, in my opinion. Let's look back at the recent (or is it a long time? I can't deal) history of Oilers' coaches and fans' reactions:

2009 -- MacTavish. Fanbase: "MacT needs to go!"

MacT is fired. Team drops 23 points in the standings.

2010 -- Pat Quinn. Fanbase: "Quinn needs to go!"

Quinn is fired. Team has exactly the same record as the year prior.

2011 -- Tom Renney. Fanbase: "Renney needs to go!"

2013 -- Ralph Krueger. MacT: "Krueger needs to go!"

2014 -- Dallas Eakins. Fanbase: "Eakins needs to go!"

2016 -- McLellan. Fanbase: "McLellan needs to go!"

2018 -- Hitchcock. Fanbase: "Hitch needs to go!"

At some point, it's not the coach.

Yet Dallas Eakins is the only guy to be given another coaching job after leaving Edmonton. Much like the GM's we have hired.....

It is obviously not just the coaching that is the problem but it has not exactly been a huge positive.

 

[SaltNPeca]

I've always been a big Ted Nolan fan, but from what I've read he seems happy doing what he's doing now working with younger players

Ted Nolan
a Sutter
Ralph Krueger
Peter Draisaitl
Make Lucic the coach (i.e. no coach, but somehow get around his cap hit?)

 

[Yablo21]

I still think Hitch is doing a good job coaching considering the talent he has. He is playing the only style the Oilers can play currently to be successful. If it wasn't for the Russel's and Klefbom's injuries he doesn't likely lose the room like he had for a while. He has them buying in again and its working, painful but working

 

[edmoil3]

Holland president
Mccrimmon Gm
Knoblach coach

Culture building focus. Smart skilled fast style

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

I still think Hitch is doing a good job coaching considering the talent he has. He is playing the only style the Oilers can play currently to be successful. If it wasn't for the Russel's and Klefbom's injuries he doesn't likely lose the room like he had for a while. He has them buying in again and its working, painful but working

If the teams success is contingent on everyone being healthy we’ve got problems.

 

[Sweetpotato]

Coach Q with Keefe and Gulletsan flanking. Stevie Y/K-Gretz as GM’s. Hughes drafted. Bob Nicholson fired. SCHWING!!

Something relatively similar to this.

 

[StoveTopStauffer]

Boucher anyone?

Just curious.

 

[yukoner88]

Boucher anyone?

Just curious.

Imo I'd rather Crawford if he decides to bail from Ottawa this summer.

 

[backhandsauce]

I really really really want Ralph back.

 

[joestevens29]

Boucher anyone?

Just curious.

Sounds like Boucher would be the same as Hitch. Players tuned Boucher out as his tactics aren't designed for the new age players.

 

[MessierII]

Yet Dallas Eakins is the only guy to be given another coaching job after leaving Edmonton. Much like the GM's we have hired.....

It is obviously not just the coaching that is the problem but it has not exactly been a huge positive.

Ralph was offered a coaching job but turned it down.