Edmonton coaching search impacted by Buffalo’s search?
Kurt Leavins: Coaching searches often overlap and impact other teams’ searches. This has been true with Edmonton. Buffalo contacted Sheldon Keefe, Dave Tippett, and Jacques Martin at various points. Also, there have been others which are a standard operating procedure.
Which roster issues need fixing first for Ken Holland?
Daniel Nugent-Bowman of The Athletic: A bevy of issues await Holland and how he handles them could shape Edmonton early for better or for worse. Holland hiring a coach that can work with the players, thrive, and last is a must. Preparing a master draft list for the June draft is paramount given they have another top-ten pick. This requires rounding out the management and scouting group.
Among possible roster changes, what to do with Milan Lucic rises to the top of the list. Do not be surprised if Lucic is not moved until after July 1st when his contract is a bit easier to stomach. The last resort is keeping him on the fourth line.
Brandon Manning becomes a prime buyout candidate and is gone. Kyle Brodziak can be buried if he does not bounce back and Andrej Sekera will get some time before a decision is made. Does Jesse Puljujarvi stay or go? That decision lies with Holland.
Then, Ken Holland has to pay Alex Chiasson. That should not cost much. After that, finding a top-six winger on not a top-six budget will not be easy. Holland needs to find at least one as Edmonton has none. Finding cheap fixes for the Oilers defense may be crucial (look at what the Islanders did). Hiring the right coach might help as well.
Finally, other needs include bottom depth and a 1B goaltender to play 30-35 games plus and to spell Mikko Koskinen.
The nine things Holland needs to do.
Kurt Leavins of the Edmonton Journal: Finding a coach again is job one and Lane Lambert who has some connections to Holland may be a possibility. After that, getting the scouting department in order and aboard is paramount. The pick expects to be kept. Among the nine things that may be essential after a new coach is assessing the farm. Can Ethan Bear and Tyler Benson take on bigger roles? Could Caleb Jones step in? Finally, he must see who is in and who is out and of course, call Connor McDavid.