OilersRage
Registered User
DISCLOSURE: Even though this is my first post, I want to say that I have been a huge fan of the Edmonton Oilers since Esa Tikkanen's Game 7 goal against Calgary in 1991. And that is when I was living in Calgary! It is now approaching my 18th year as a fan of the Edmonton Oilers and yes I have been with this team as a fan through its ups and downs.
The Edmonton Oilers have the most PASSIONATE AND KNOWLEDGEABLE FAN BASE in the entire NHL. Zero doubt about it. Who doesn't want to see this team relive the magic of the 80s and 1990? But remember, that team was built on a truly amazing and passionate culture, cultivated by none other than Glen Sather. Remember it is not Gretzky, Messier, Coffey or members of the OBC, it was Sather and his cultural mindset. Just ask the players themselves. Let us use that as the foundation of what I am about to say.
Fast forward to the early birth of 2019 and here we are. Nearly 10 years plus in the decade of darkness and this fan base including myself is up in arms as to what the heck is going on. We want to blame players, coaching staff, the GM, etc. We provide our insight on potential problems, issues, recommendations, trade proposals, who should stay, who should leave. Most of the time band aid solutions to the obvious problem: the culture set by ownership!
As a fan or even a player, you look up and see an inept set of individuals running the show including the current GM who has made some bone headed moves. We see, replacement of endless coaches, a revolving set of players coming in and out of the club, players who have voiced cultural issues, etc. But if I am a player with the current team or looking on the outside, you sense a broken home within the Edmonton Oilers. You witness some of the most head scratching decisions with management personnel or lack thereof, recent trades that send the wrong message (e.g. as recent as Manning, Petrovic), players who don't show a level of consistent compete or stand up for your star player and at the end of the day? Rinse and repeat for years if not over a decade! What message does that send to the club on the ice? To the fan base that spends their hard earn money to support not just the on ice product but the entire organization? The message is simple: less than mediocrity is acceptable and the latter will continue to define the management, their decisions and ultimately the on ice product. To me, that is one messed up way of thinking and culture to live within.
I appreciate you reading this. I have so much to say as a fan and look forward to sharing my thoughts and listening to yours.
The Edmonton Oilers have the most PASSIONATE AND KNOWLEDGEABLE FAN BASE in the entire NHL. Zero doubt about it. Who doesn't want to see this team relive the magic of the 80s and 1990? But remember, that team was built on a truly amazing and passionate culture, cultivated by none other than Glen Sather. Remember it is not Gretzky, Messier, Coffey or members of the OBC, it was Sather and his cultural mindset. Just ask the players themselves. Let us use that as the foundation of what I am about to say.
Fast forward to the early birth of 2019 and here we are. Nearly 10 years plus in the decade of darkness and this fan base including myself is up in arms as to what the heck is going on. We want to blame players, coaching staff, the GM, etc. We provide our insight on potential problems, issues, recommendations, trade proposals, who should stay, who should leave. Most of the time band aid solutions to the obvious problem: the culture set by ownership!
As a fan or even a player, you look up and see an inept set of individuals running the show including the current GM who has made some bone headed moves. We see, replacement of endless coaches, a revolving set of players coming in and out of the club, players who have voiced cultural issues, etc. But if I am a player with the current team or looking on the outside, you sense a broken home within the Edmonton Oilers. You witness some of the most head scratching decisions with management personnel or lack thereof, recent trades that send the wrong message (e.g. as recent as Manning, Petrovic), players who don't show a level of consistent compete or stand up for your star player and at the end of the day? Rinse and repeat for years if not over a decade! What message does that send to the club on the ice? To the fan base that spends their hard earn money to support not just the on ice product but the entire organization? The message is simple: less than mediocrity is acceptable and the latter will continue to define the management, their decisions and ultimately the on ice product. To me, that is one messed up way of thinking and culture to live within.
I appreciate you reading this. I have so much to say as a fan and look forward to sharing my thoughts and listening to yours.
