Jay Woodcroft implemented a new defensive system for this season that ultimately contributed to him losing his job. Ryan Rishaug takes a closer look at the Oilers’ struggles and why Woodcroft had trouble holding his players accountable.
@Edmonton Oilers
20 Comments
No the GM who is an absolute idiot is to blame. Not woodcroft (from a caps fan)
Its all about McDavid's contract, the possibility of win a Cup with any team is a gamble. But chances without McDavid are slimmer, especially if Draisaitl walks. If happy McDavid is the golden goose, the chance of getting the right players on a below market deals grows. If McDavid and Draisitl are plan A and B, Nugent-Hopkins would be the odd man out. He's the only player beside the top 2 to get quality goaltending, but the results need to be soon rather then later, because of the Draistl's contract. However teams would give up the farm for Draistl, the return can aid all the defense and goalie problems that been haunting the Oilers for awhile. Problem with the Oiler's success to date, was outscore their problems, once that doesn't happen, these are the results. To many teams credit they are aware of this and adjusted and found success. I think Woodcroft knew this too, by him designing a new defensive program he knew another playoff exit he's begone anyways. But he was a coach without leverage because of cap problems.
Draistl Trade
Phi- Hart G, Ellis D, Farabee F, 1st 2024 and 2nd 2025 (maybe additional trades)
Oilers- Campbell G, Draistl
Nugent-Hopkins Trade
Min- Gustavsson G, Middleton D, 3rd 2024
Edm- Nugent-Hopkins
Goalie Wallstedt and Jones are 2 top goalie prospects to back Fleury and gain some NHL experience
Justice for Woody
Will Knoblauch and Coffey be in the same positions at the end of this season? Of this calendar year?
I'm tuning outta this crapshow.
Isn’t Ryan the one who posted McDavid injured last year? He should be fired too, along with the goalie coach and Holland. 😉
I mean the GM ain't going to take himself out…. so just going for all the easy targets.
If you told me before the season started that woodcroft would be fired I’d tell you your bat shit crazy lol
it's not woodcroft's job to fix the teams goaltending problems. it's not woodcroft's job to fix a defence with flaws he created. it's not woodcroft's job to stop signing fourth liners they don't need instead of fixing their problems.
that's all ken holland, and has been ken holland.
So….WORST SAVE % in the league!!!…Goalie Coach Dustin Schwartz has been here 10 years!!!
He GOT BOOED ON OPENING NIGHT….Ask yourself, have you EVER heard of a GOALIE COACH GETTING BOOED?…..EVER???….But NO, Fire everyone….but keep the Goalie Coach?…..WTF???
So far they have had McLellan, Hitchcock and Tippet…Coaches with THOUSANDS of games of experience and WIDELY RESPECTED FOE BEING GOOD DEFENSIVE COACHES!!!…and they are STILL complaining about "missed assignments" in their own end???….And Holland suppose's an AHL coach and a D-man, although legendary was known for his OFFENCE not DEFENCE, will do the trick?
AND THE SAME GOALIE COLACH???
Just when I felt good about the Oilers winning,… then they go and fire the coach. Something's, what I don't know, but, I don't like it.
And, some of these reporters, why do people waste their time on them?
shit might aswell put me in as coach for fk sake LOL
If woodcroft got fired the goalie coach Dustin Schwartz should get the boot as well. He has not helped the situation he has only made it worse.
Will who ?
Ryan finally decided to dress like 2023 not 1989
Edmonton is McDavid team. I think they should have hired someone with high authority, coach who could bench McDavid or Draisaitl if they are strugling and if there is someone who have better game going. You win in NHL by using four lines and good cap and icetime management, not by giving all the money and (PP) minutes to biggest stars. Making team happy is more important than making couple individual happy. Ken Holland should get fired, and i think they should try to trade either Draisaitl or McDavid.
i likd drai a lot, but man he is so lazy defensively everytime he's in his own zone they might as well be on a penalty kill.
Coffey played 20 years ago. Has no coaching experience
Not his fault… They needed to hold the line and allow the boys to work it out…
BS that coach didnt know when to call a timeout nor when to pull his goalie.. dude just wasnt NHL caliber nobody respects him… his kid looking at him like hes a weirdo