- Craig Custance: Custance thinks it’s smart by the Oilers to give Todd Nelson a shot, while keeping options open to hire a veteran coach at the end of the year. Though he likes Nelson, Custance notes that the Jets benefited from bringing in an outside voice – Paul Maurice. Sometimes organizations overvalue their own players and it’s good to have a fresh perspective.
- Jim Matheson: Can’t see Craig MacTavish coaching the Oilers past Christmas when Nelson will take over.
- Darren Dreger: Nelson got a four-year contact extension in the summer. MacTavish left the door open on his future.
- Dan Rosen: “Nelson might become a good NHL coach the way he is in the AHL, but this situation is begging for someone with significant NHL credentials. Lots of people mentioning Bylsma to me right now. Situation has to be perfect for Bylsma to coach this season. It’s not perfect in Edmonton.”
- Scott Burnside of ESPN: Burnside notes that Dallas Eakins deserved to be fired, but adds that he shouldn’t have been hired in the first place by MacTavish. Now, MacTavish will temporarily go behind the bench.
MacTavish will preside over the bench on an interim basis to perform a task he was deemed ill-suited to perform a few years ago, while helping former AHL coach Todd Nelson get used to the job. Nelson will then hold the job on an interim basis presumably until the end of this miserable season when who knows what further chaos awaits.
Meanwhile, MacTavish will continue to perform his duties as GM, another job he has proven to be ill-suited for.
Many are wondering if Bob Nicholson will eventually lead the Oilers.
- Steve Zipay: “Rumors on that floating around Rexall last night RT @rangersreport: Wonder where Mess is in picture of transitioning Oilers for next season.”
- Nicholas Cotsonika of Yahoo! Sports: MacTavish said he won’t talk about breaking up his core
“I don’t want to answer that question till I get a hands-on understanding of exactly what’s happening in there,” he said. “I’ve got a pretty good understanding of that, but I want to have ample opportunity to have eyeball-to-eyeball conversations with the core group that we have in hopes that we can move this thing forward before I’m willing to do anything.”
Cotsonika thinks the Oilers need to replace Kevin Lowe with Bob Nicholson, who is the vice chair of the Oilers Entertainment Group. Nicholson then needs to search for a new GM, allowing the new GM evaluate the entire organization. MacTavish has only been on the job for 19 months, but he has fired coaches after 48 games and 113 games.
Cotsonika notes:
The Oilers have drafted in the top 10 seven times in eight years – first overall three times – yet have a questionable core. They have rushed youngsters to the NHL, giving them jobs and large second contracts before they have earned them. They have surrounded them with poor supporting casts. They have immersed them in a losing culture.
- David Pagnotta: Teams continue to kick tires on Jordan Eberle, David Perron and Taylor Hall (unlikely). Don’t expect any moves to be made until January.
- Hope Smoke: Darren Dreger on TSN radio: “I’ll tell you this, change isn’t going to happen at the level of MacT, Bob Nicholson or Kevin Lowe. It’ll be in scouting” … “I think the one guy in that core is RNH. #1 he’s a hell of a hockey player, a good young man & a centre (premium position)” … “How are you finding top pairing D? Klefbom/Marincin are not top pairing guys. Draisaitl a 2C? Maybe but not for the next few yrs”