Sail On Lowell River Hawk
For Ken Holland, the honeymoon period with Edmonton Oilers fans could last for years, but the first big trade will be scrutinized 24-7 for weeks. A fan base that has endured some truly noxious deals in recent Junes will be looking for a fair deal in 2019. It would be a very good time for a home run.
THE ATHLETIC!
The Athletic Edmonton features a fabulous cluster of stories (some linked below, some on the site). Great perspective from a ridiculous group of writers and analysts. Proud to be part of the group. INSANE OFFER IS HERE!
- New Lowetide: What kind of coach should Ken Holland hire for the Oilers?
- New Jonathan Willis: Every Oilers AHL prospect, rated by how close they are to the NHL
- New Jonathan Willis: A resurgent Andrej Sekera gives the Oilers much-needed defensive options
- New Lowetide: Is Joe Gambardella destined to become the Oilers’ next Fernando Pisani?
- New Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Protector, supporter, confidant: Connor McDavid’s mom, Kelly, is his off-ice rock through good times and bad
- Lowetide: An offseason plan for Ken Holland to remodel the Oilers roster.
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Ken Holland steadfast that buck stops with him as new Oilers GM.
- Lowetide: How will Ken Holland proceed in Year 1 as Oilers general manager?
- Jonathan Willis: What does the arrival of Ken Holland mean for the Oilers coaching search?
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Prioritizing the roster issues that await Ken Holland in Edmonton.
- Lowetide: Ken Holland’s procurement list for his rumored move to Edmonton will include front-office personnel
- Jonathan Willis: A Milan Lucic trade is at the top of the to-do list for the Oilers’ next GM.
HOLLAND’S DRAFT
First Round—No. 8 overall—RC Kirby Dach. He’s 6.03, 200 and has all kinds of skill. Compared to Ryan Johansen in terms of style. His boxcars aren’t stunning, I think the Oilers will probably be getting a more physical Nuge. That’s almost all good, but one does wonder about the 5-on-5 scoring future for this player. At 5-on-5 this season, Dach went 62, 20-22-42 (.677), while Nuge posted 69, 19-25-44 (.638) in the same discipline in his draft year. He would be my choice at No. 8 (I have him No. 6) assuming the scouting staff plans of passing on Kaliyev.
Does that sound better than Peyton Krebs? His offense at 5-on-5 (64, 10-29-39 .609) came while playing for a ghastly Kootenay Ice team. I think Holland would want Turcotte if he’s still on the board, but that is unlikely.
What about a trade? I think Holland waits for the first seven selections and then lingers to see if the phone rings. If he can improve his team by trading the first round pick, I bet he does it. The return would have to be a good NHL player and young enough to hang around for several seasons.
Second Round—No. 38 overall—LW, RW Samuel Fagemo. He’s a sniper who fell through the draft a year ago, but for Holland this is exactly the kind of player the Oilers need to be drafting. He scored 14 goals in 42 SHL games, playing 13:54 and getting 109 shots on goal. He turned 19 in March, another year in the SHL would seem the reasonable course.
Third Round—No. 85 overall—LC Luka Burzan. Undersized WHL center with good speed and skill, like Fagemo he’s an overager. His speed works on offense and defense and he’s a smart, creative player.
Fourth Round—No. 100 overall—LD Warren Marshall, USNDTP. Edmonton has been shopping the development team for several years now, Marshall is an excellent skater whose skills are perfectly suited to the modern transition game. Smart player.
Sixth Round—No. 162 overall—R Wiljami Myllylä, HIFK (Jr Liiga). Speed demon, has been posting gaudy scoring numbers for several years.
Seventh Round—No. 193 overall—LC Linus Nassen, Frolunda (SHL). Solid two-way player who plays a strong checking style.
2019 TOUCH LIST
I’m going to post five names per league every day this week, today is the USHL. The following players are outside the Central Scouting Top 150 NA list, the top 10 NA goalie list, the top 75 Euro list and the top 10 Euro goalie list. They may not be drafted but there’s something about them worth mentioning.
LC Brendan Budy is a speedy playmaker who posted 11-20-31 in 31 games for Tri-City. He’s a small forward (5.10, 180) and is a June 2000. Impressive passer, great on the back hand.
G Isiah Saville. He’s a September 2000, meaning one of the older first time eligibles. He performed well for Tri City (34, .925) and was solid in the NAHL in 2017-18. He’s 6.01, 194.
F Danny Weight. Doug’s boy went 23, 8-7-15 with the National Team in the USHL this season. He plays the wing, is 6 feet and has great hands. Foot speed gets mentioned, he was buried on the USNDTP roster and that may mean he’ll spike next season in Penticton.
RC Jaxon Nelson scored 52, 19-21-40 for Omaha Lancers and is a 2000. He’s a big player (6.04, 207) and has good offense for this level. He might carve out a Chris VandeVelde future.
LW Trevor Kuntar isn’t famous but as a June 2001 who scored 61, 19-17-36 for the Youngstown Phantoms he’s worth a conversation. Smart player, good passer and he has some finish.
MacTavish may flourish in the KHL and return to the NHL in a couple of years as an attractive coaching option. I imagine that’s the plan. Although I was not a fan of much of his work in the GM chair, he was open to analytics and for me was a tremendous coach. This move may mark a return to his strengths. I wish him all the best.
HOLLAND’S TO-DO LIST
When Holland’s name came into view, I listed my views on what his priorities for the summer should be. My list went like this:
*Two scoring wingers
*Cap room
*No. 3 RH center
*Top 4 RHD who can move the puck
*Backup goalie
Now that he’s here and has been interviewed a few dozen times, I think the tea leaves tell a different story about Holland’s priorities:
*Find a specific coach—The names I’m reading represent a specific type of coach, someone who would rather explain than turn the air blue. After a long period of red ass coaches, a communicator like Dave Tippett or Todd Nelson seems to be the priority.
*Offload Milan Lucic—Again tea leaves, but bits and bites of info have the team making this a priority before Holland arrived, and it’s possible that continues. If there is a market for Lucic, make it so. The only question I have is what kind(s) of sweetener are involved. Retained? How much? A prospect as sweetener? Depends on the player. The trio of Caleb Jones, William Lagesson and Ethan Bear will be waiver eligible a year from now and defense is an area of strength. Perhaps one of them will be the sweetener (although Jones should be off limits).
*Find a starting goalie—This is a known priority and makes sense. I think Koskinen can help and perhaps carry a team for a time, but you want the second goalie to be capable of same. Brian Elliott is my choice, you may have another, Ken Holland would no doubt know a lot about some of these names (Petr Mrazek). It’s been some time since the Oilers had a goalie who stole multiple games in a season (Cam Talbot, 2016-17).
*Add forwards who can multi-task—I think the fourth line will be full of penalty killers and Holland will upgrade on Brodziak with a faster Brodziak. Edmonton needs those skill wingers, but suppression should also be a a big part of summer.
MACT
On April 10, 2009, in the hours before MacT walked as coach of the Oilers, I wrote the following:
If Craig MacTavish were a songwriter he’d be Pete Townshend. Clearly smarter than the other brains of his generation (Lennon, for one), with a mind that enjoys the questions as much as the answers. Some of his seasons have been massive highs and terrible lows (Meaty, Beaty, Big and Bouncy), 2005-06 was clearly “Who’s Next” and this past season was probably “The Who By Numbers.” One of the songs from that album is called “Slip Kid” and includes the line “Slip kid, slip kid, second generation, You’re slidin down the hill like me, No easy way to be free.”
Which is where I think Craig MacTavish is right now. The things he knows to be true appear to have failed him this season, to the point where he (according to the Journal today) will resign on Sunday.
I’ll be interested to see where he lands. His main strengths (even strength hockey, with his best teams also PK demons) will no doubt get the desired results in his new town. The new GM should make sure there are enough veterans, that there is balance on the roster and that development doesn’t become the main goal of a season.
I think that’s the lesson for Craig MacTavish post-2006: there is a point when juggling kids becomes impossible because there aren’t enough actual NHL players to bail them out while they learn on the job.
Balance. Veterans. It’s been awhile since Craig MacTavish had those things. And if clarity is a strength of Craig MacTavish (and it most certainly is), then is it also a strength of this organization?
We’ll see. Should MacT resign on Sunday the Oilers need to find a replacement in the next 8 weeks or so. One would hope they have a list of requirements and perhaps an early draft of the people they’d like to talk to in the next couple of weeks.
Do we think that’s the case? Based on how quickly this thing fell apart and the verbal from management and ownership the preceeded it, I’m beginning to worry if the Edmonton Oilers even have a plan. Part of me suspects Katz puts full stop on the resignation before Sunday.
And worry has been a consistent part of being an Edmonton Oiler fan this decade. Craig MacTavish was one of the things we could hold on to, as an intelligent, rational individual who had a plan. Stubborn? You bet. Perfect? Not a chance.
When he walks away Craig MacTavish will have no problem telling people what he stands for, the things that he values, the mission statement for his coaching philosophy and the tools needed for the long road ahead. What can we say about the Edmonton Oilers without him? The strongest personality in the organization is walking toward the exit and there’s a chance those he leaves behind haven’t a clue about how to go about the business of replacing him.
This team has been porridge since summer 2006. Kevin Lowe traded Chris Pronger for kids and then neglected to use the saved money on experienced hands who could pick up the slack for the Pronger loss (and that of Spacek and Tarnstrom).
I can’t help feeling the nadir of this franchise is on the other side of Sunday.
LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE
A busy Thursday, plenty of MacT talk and CFL, too. Starts at 10, TSN1260, with our first guest Dan Ralph from the Canadian Press at 10:20. CFL will be on time this season! Guy Flaming from The Pipeline Show joins us as well, we’ll talk Memorial Cup. Frank Seravalli drops in at 11:05, we’ll chat MacT, Holland and that goal last night that put San Jose on track for Stanley. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide twitter. 90 minutes!
United States Marshal Ken Holland rides into town – and the town bullies start packing their bags.
Holland makes his 1st very important move, Howson has to be next, I would love to see Green packing for his roll in the Reinhart deal…we wait, but this is very very encouraging
– Wow: great landing spot for MacT. Not employable in the NHL based on his track record
– But a good plan to rehabilitate his career if he wants to come back: all the best to him.
– Massive tectonic shift for the Oil organization.
– One of my questions for the annual armchairGM quizz was how many of the OBC will be gone. For years I’ve asked, and no movements. Looks like we might have a chance for a real sweep.
LT — you, sir, have eyes that see.
That nadir not only arrived, it stalked the team like MacT’s proverbial cartoon anvil.
And you called it. Well done.
I wish Craig the best, but we need to replace him why? Most of the problems he had were of his own making. I remember posters here touting his ability to find 4th line centers. Great, but then they were signed for 2nd line money. And is that really an enviable trait?
Craig was a good coach brought a keen intellect to coaching, but there it stopped; he struggled with executive management, not so much the technical aspects, but the being “all things to all men” aspects. The PR, the politics, the strategy.
It will be hard to say goodbye to some of the guys that have given a chunk of their lives to the organization. That’s natural. But it needs to be done.
If Katz nixes this, Ken might as well resign now.
Lokomotiv Yaroslavl is the franchise marked by the tragic plane crash of 2011 that killed the entire team.
Yaroslavl is not too far from Moscow by car, maybe a four hour drive NE through some really pretty countryside. Russian truckers are surprisingly courteous, and the road is good. But you should take the train, because come on, it’s Lokomotiv.
I’ll plan to see Lokomotiv next season when they come to town to play ЦСКА (Gargarin Cup winners this year!), and dare MacT to take on the mascot. Fans here would love it, but he’d likely get arrested. Anton Lander is currently on the Lokomotiv roster, which suggests the hockey gods have a sense of humour when they are not otherwise occupied smiting the Oilers.
June 2013:
MacTavish via Skype: Sorry Ralph… making a bold decision here… you’re fired.
Krueger: No worries Craig… but make no mistake I’ll be back as a HC in the NHL one day!!
MacTavish: The day you’re a HC in the NHL is the day Ill pack my bags and move to Lokomotiv!
June 2019:
Krueger: Your move Craig!!!
Lol, Ken be all like Stalin, sending folk to Siberia(ish).
Ironic that LT concluded his “what kind of coach should Ken Holland hire?” with saying they need a coach like Mac T.
Also ironic that if Mac had fled to Siberia when the Chiarelli Reign of Error started, I wouldn’t have been shocked if he was back in the NHL coaching.
Always liked him as a coach, think he got in too deep as GM, give him credit for the Eakins hire even though it turned out poorly.
– So far compared to Chia, Holland has done the following shortly after being hired:
1) Made the call to not keep the coach
2) Put in a process to find a coach of his liking (Chia merely signed off on Coach shortly after he was hired based on the ground-work done by Bob and MacT, he didn’t follow a process)
3) Fired the most senior management person in Hockey Ops that was there for a decade of inept
4) Had the fortune to see the most ready prospects for a few games to get a sense of where they are, to help prepare first hand the off-season, rather than rely only on scouts he doesn’t know
– The biggest reservation or tell on Chia was that he didn’t bring in his own guys right away. More likely now there is an even bigger tunrover of the management that has been in place for so long.
– Be careful for what you wish for: the Detroitization of the Oilers is happening. Lets hope it’s circa 1996, not 2016…
Regarding Krebs, Dach and Cozens:
Krebs had 30 primary assists, just behind Dach’s 31, to lead WHL draft eligibles. But Dach’s team scored 259 goals and Krebs’ 181.
Krebs setting up 17% of team goals compared to 11.5% for Dach and 10.5% for Cozens.
Cozens, more of a goal scorer, has 12.7% of team goals, Dach 9.7%, Krebs 10.5%.
Really hard to pick between them.
Who has better speed? Who has a pro quality shot?
I can’t remember the last draft where I couldn’t focus in on a couple of players I really want the Oilers to take.
I mean Byram and Turcotte are obvious but would be flabbergasted if either was available.
Edit: I might have a slight preference for RHC, so Cozens and Dach might have the edge over Krebs for me.
I don’t follow you, why give MacT credit for a hire that was an abject failure. MacT also fired Kruger who if used properly within the organization could have affected positive change within a very broken culture.
Instead we got a coach drunk with success while enjoying the fruits of the highest spending AHL franchise with endless resources. He came through the door like bull in a China shop, was going to change every body and everything while employing the swarm, which helped to destroy Dubnik as a NHL Tender.
Credit?…..Credit??….we talking about Credit?
I loved MacT as a player. Loved him as a coach; even his crazy “Moreau” year.
His other work, less so. Good luck to Mr. MacTavish.
People who are good at what they do, reinvent themselves all the time…hard to believe a thoughtful man like Holland, well removed from any playoff success hasn’t looked back and taken inventory. I have to be confident Holland is looking for progressive hockey people to complement his skills.
Odd how MacT never got another job as HC or even assistant somewhere. Still think about the day he was hired back as a VP/GM in waiting.
If he had the Oilers stench on him in 2009, can’t imagine what’s it like now that he’s been involved in the years of wasting Hall and then McDavid. In 2009 he should have been viewed like McLellan is now. Who somehow got a five year deal for some reason.
He should have tried to work his way back up the NHL as a coach instead of answering Lowe’s call. Hard to turn down an executive role with the team you love though.
I think even in 2015 he could have left and tried coaching again. It’s too late now to be an NHL HC unless he’s okay with maybe getting assistant jobs after his KHL stint. At best he’ll get an interim coach position with whatever team Mike Gillis takes over.
I believe the need to replace him is what Lowtide wrote when he stepped down as Oilers coach in 2009, not today.
Well, there you go – the only real member of the OBC that actually had a material say in hockey ops is out.
This should appease all, no?
I assume Howson and Bill Scott will be out as well and a total revamp of the pro scouting to come.
Not sure of a ton of change on the amateur scouting side and I assume Keith Gretzky will take a material role in that regard – we’ll see.
Townshend clearly smarter than Lennon?
Oh my jumpin’ Jesus is that daft. You’ve got it inverted.
Man, Vegas’ cap situation might be the worst in the league.
They are already over the upper cap limit for next season with only 17 players and one of the players in need of re-sign is William Karlsson.
If the Oilers could open up some cap space, could they scoop Riley Smith or Cody Eakin along with the rights to Brandon PIrri? Return being a pick and an AHL prospect ready to graduate? Bear or Marody?
Pirri’s metrics sparkle including his relative metrics – I want this player for a good bet value contract.
“*Offload Milan Lucic—Again tea leaves, but bits and bites of info have the team making this a priority before Holland arrived, and it’s possible that continues. If there is a market for Lucic, make it so. The only question I have is what kind(s) of sweetener are involved. Retained? How much? A prospect as sweetener? Depends on the player. The trio of Caleb Jones, William Lagesson and Ethan Bear will be waiver eligible a year from now and defense is an area of strength. Perhaps one of them will be the sweetener (although Jones should be off limits).”
———————————–
Assuming the trio have similar value as a sweetener, its got to be Ethan Bear – I know I rate Lagesson higher than most, and maybe its b/c I’ve been talking about him for two years, but I have him right up there with Jones as far as NHL readiness and as far as potential impact on the team long term (different type of impact, of course).
Bear could very well provide the best offence at the NHL level but, to me, he’s the biggest risk to be nothing more than a tweener – not saying he will bust out but, if I HAD to pick one out of the three, its Bear.
Clarkson’s $5.25MM is fully insured and will be easy to move for a pick to OTT or ARI. My guess is OTT.
“*Find a starting goalie—This is a known priority and makes sense. I think Koskinen can help and perhaps carry a team for a time, but you want the second goalie to be capable of same. Brian Elliott is my choice, you may have another, Ken Holland would no doubt know a lot about some of these names (Petr Mrazek). It’s been some time since the Oilers had a goalie who stole multiple games in a season (Cam Talbot, 2016-17).”
——————————-
Yup, I’ve been talking about Elliot for months and months (got ripped apart on another platform as knowing nothing about hockey and nothing about goalies for suggesting it).
Mrazek is on the radar as well.
Lehner, of course, but he’ll be too expensive.
Trading for Greiss?
Is Curtis M. reliable enough?
I could get on board with a deal around Lucic and Darling – cap dump for cap dump – given Darling’s struggles, its a massive risk at the position but, who knows, he’s got the ability to rebound and I’d be willing to take that risk if it allows for a clean disposition of Lucic with no retained salary and no sweetener. It could turn out to be a massive win if Darling can be solid.
Awesome post. Thanks!
Ditto!
Dustylegnd,
Dusty – I give Mac T credit for thinking outside of the box in hiring Eakins, just like the Oilers did with Krueger.
It was a colossal failure for many reasons, but I think Mac T maybe saw there was an issue with culture and Eakins was brought in with a mandate to change that.
Kinger talked yesterday about players not always being comfortable with Krueger’s techniques because they’re so used to coaching being a certain way, from pee wee onwards.
i suspect the same thing happened with Eakins, it was easy to tune him out, especially if/when the organization didn’t back him up.
Dustylegnd,
– I hope your right: he’s off to a good start IMO: Rest of list is:
1) Rebuild rest of organizations with personel who are “gets”, and many others are gone
2) Get a good Coach and staff
3) Show us that draft acumen at the draft table
4) Have someone “better” than Keith at least competing with him as GM-in-waiting
5) Make a move or two the off-season that are more than just meh
6) Do more than hire a token stat-geek to shuffle papers and play solitare in the analytics department
7) Come out sometime prior to the season and tell us what the “Plan” is
His downfall was chop wood carry water narcissist hire that made absolutely no sense at the time and still doesn’t.
2019 NHL Entry Draft T minus 37 and counting.
dustrock,
Thank you for the clarification, valid points
Well, Esa Lindell just got 5.8 mil x 6 years. There’s your Nurse comparable.
John, not Vladimir.
Hiring Eakins was NOT thinking outside of the box. It was a way to fire Krueger and hire the guy all the guys in Toronto were touting as the next great coach. (Eakins PR self-hype machine had gone full supernova that spring…)
How can a get rid of this guy who won’t do everything I tell him to do and won’t say yes to me all the time, and escape any blame for not giving him a fair chance.
Craigs leaving is a “good start”.
Keep sweeping Ken.
Loved MacT as a coach, although Low was better (Low had better players for the most part as well….)
Had high hopes for him as a GM because I assumed he knew exactly what EDM lacked, but my hopes didn’t come to fruition and his player valuation was meh to terrible.
Had high hopes for Pete as a GM because I thought “surely a Harvaaad Man knows how to learn from his mistakes in BOS”, but he undervalued skill, pissed away value and my hopes didn’t come to fruition.
I have high hopes for Holland as a GM. Knows the league cold, has valued skill forever, and surely he has learned from his contractual mistakes with middling players……
I will choose to remember the MacTavish of his playing and coaching years and try and forget the GM years. Whatever else can be said I believe he always chose to do what he thought was best for the Oilers and his departure from the organization today is another one he took for the team. Best of luck to him.
Why should it be any different, this management crew has had at least 3 swipes at “winning” , they lucked into the best player in the world and we still don’t win,
Holland keeping this nucleus would be the definition of insanity, he is smart he cut the head of the serpent off with his 1st move, making it much easier to remove Howson, Green, Sutter and Scott…he wont remove them all, but the Alpha of this group is gone…we wait
I love point 4) competition is a wonderful thing…..we will find out quickly what the management team is made of and let the cream rise to the top
I wonder if packaging the 8th pick to Winnipeg for trouba, assuming he signs, would be an option. Obviously there would have to be other moves to move out a d men to make the money work. I dont think it would be too difficult to move Russell. Given Winnipeg’s impending cap issues, what do you think this deal could look like?
Perfect post.
Yes Hunter,
Craig Mactavish is the sole cause of all your Oilers related frustration,
Gimme a break
You smashed that drum you’ve been banging on months ago
Its too bad the way it ended with MacT but it was time for change. He was part of a very poor management group.
That said, he must be a bit bitter. Set the team up for success in 2015 only to be demoted for a guy that came in and absolutely boned it. Like completely.
Looking forward to seeing the new hires.
Ha! $5.8M is *exactly* what I have predicted for Nurse.
I can see the cap rising from $83mil this season to $85mil next
season.
$5.8mil seems high on first glance but it would only be 6.82%.
That would be a reasonable percentage for Nurse & his next contract
Thank you for the insightful post. However, I can’t stand the entire Oilers management setup starting from Lowe on down. 15+ years of enduring a craptacular hockey franchise can do that to a body. Also, seeing several young hockey careers destroyed by MacT is a thing I won’t forget in a hurry.
I get it. Mealy mouthed farewells to the departed town bully is the consensus way to go for you, and other management apologists.
That said, I have been lurking on this site for the past several weeks. The only reason I posted was I stumbled onto Lowetide and got the chance to comment first on an issue close to my bleak heart.
Now if you can excuse me, I’d like to crawl back under my rock until next season.
PS: Top marks for the drum analogy!
Sorry, is Lindell worth $5.8m? Wow.
I would feel better about this if Holland had actually fired MacTavish. Maybe he was told to find work elsewhere or maybe he just decided that coaching was his passion and wanted to make the transition. Good to see one member of the OBC heading out the door but there are a lot more people that need a change of scenery.
So Kruger is a $4m per year coach and MacT is coaching in Russia. This is too rich.
But seriously, thanks to MacT for the amazing 2006 run. You over stayed your welcome by a long time, but that 2006 run will live on forever in the collective memories of the city.
– MacT had a glorious run to the Cup: that was peak MacT. He started out right: assistant with the Rangers for a few years, assistant for a year in Edmonton. He lost twice in the first round against better Stars teams. And he missed the playoffs, a lot.
– Was never a fan of the Oiler patented play-book of throwing guys under the bus mastered by him
– These are the type of quotes he had too often: ” It’s disappointing to loose a game that you’re leading by two goals, but it’s in the fashion that we lose the game. That speaks to inexperience, it speaks to our collective gamesmanship as a team right now”
– And I was never able to reconcile that MacT the coach was able to keep coaching year after year when the team didn’t make playoffs, yet he fired coaches at will, never affording them the luxury he clearly didn’t deserve.
– He was not a good coach when he went to the Wolves. We would all take the job as GM if offered it: but being fired as a coach, not being good as an AHL coach in another organization isn’t the recipe for great GM stuff.
– He should have stepped away after he was replaced by Chia: that was the right thing to do.
– I liked MacT most when he was on TV: very entertaining.
A few thoughts:
a. Nurse at $5.8m to $6.0m is workable, up to $6.5m is livable but onerous in the early years of the contract, after $6.5m and you are left wondering why there is a big ol’ bullet hole in your foot and why you put it there
b. Vegas, even if they move on from the Clarkson contract, still has a lot of Cap issues with Karlsson ($6.0m+) and Subban ($1m to $1.25m). I see them as having to clear $1.5m or so; expect one of Holden or Eakins to go, or both, to go (given they still need min-wage replacenents).
c. All kind words for MacT aside, I do appreciate the clearing out of the pro-scouting group; much needed. Weakest part of the team by far.
d. See a lot of scenario’s for moving Lucic. A ‘something from each bowl’ scenario could look a lot like:
—- bonus paid; and
—- $1m salary retained; and
—- late pick (4th rounder 2020)
—- Bear
—- short-term, low dollar, bad contract back (1 to 2 years at $2m or less per year)
Would still be okay with that.
hunter1909,
– Did you tell us who won your contest(s)?
– You and I have been amongst the most critical of the Lowe-MacT-OBC for many many years.
– Let’s hope that now we finally have our wish: a fresh regime, with hockey people that are hired on merit and not the colour of their blood (Oil), and that when things don’t go well, there is consistency in accountability.
Holland gracefully showed him to the door. Why would he fire him?
I’m sure you’re heart breaks daily for all those young hockey careers that MacT single handedly destroyed.
That’s a little over dramatic.
You’re describing him as some ruthless overlord, we’re not discussing the same person
If you claimed that he was not qualified to be the GM, then I would say you are correct.
P.S. you get a zero for your bully analogy as it doesn’t hold any water.
bwar,
– Make no mistake: MacT’s services were no longer required. Holland is all about treating people with respect. Rather than “fire” MacT, I’m sure he helped him land properly, given his tenure in the organization for so long. Hopefully MacT learned a lesson: not to publicly humiliate someone after lying to them then not to fire over Skype, because one is accountable for way they treat others. Holly treated him with respect no doubt
– Burke was on the air last week, and he said that Holland: there aren’t people in hockey who don’t like him, while there are tons who don’t like me. That tells you something about Holland’s style.
So the two people in the organization to BAK’s success are potentially gone.
Be curious to see who takes over on the farm.
Ok. MacT was a bumbling, incompetent sycophant. Feel better now?
Today is a bit of a tough day for this Oiler fan. I understand that MacT wasn’t exactly well loved around here, at least MacT the manager, but I’m actually sad to see him go.
I know I’ve shared this story on the blog before, but MacT is likely one of the reasons I am a lifelong fan of this club. Sure growing up in Edmonton in the 80s helped, but other than trace memories of ’88 and ’90, my exposure to the glory years is mostly from watching old playoff games on NHL gamecenter and youtube. I didn’t start going to games with my dad regularly until the 91-92 season, so the teams I have the strongest memories of were those garbage teams of the mid 90s followed by the little team that could.
Anyhoo, bringing it back to MacT… when I was a kid, maybe 9 or 10 years old, whenever the YMCA in Callingwood opened, I started taking swim lessons there, MacT was living in the neighbourhood (along with Huddy, Buchburger and a few others), so that was often his gym of choice. Like clockwork after nearly every swim lesson, I’d go to the hut tub to relax and MacT would happen to be there. I don’t know why he did it, but he always took the time to chat with me, despite the fact that I was probably a pretty annoying little 10 year old.
This probably went on for several months over a two year period. Knew me by name, always said hello, always let me ask a million questions and was just so kind to me. He was under no obligation to talk to me, but he did it anyway. I’ve never forgotten that, the kindness, the dedication to the team, the passion for the city and the love of the game MacT had. I ran into him as an adult, probably 15 years after the last time I saw him at the Y (so, I guess that would have been in 2007, just before I moved to Ontario) and he remembered me. I couldn’t believe it at the time, and typing up this story I still hardly do. But the fact is, Craig MacTavish is very likely the reason I remained an Oilers fan even during the darkest times. He’s taken a lot of crap over the last 6 years since he returned, some of it deserved (Eakins, Dubnyk, Nikitin), some of it really not (OBC association means he must be bad at his job). But one thing that can’t be overstated is that MacT gave most of his life to this franchise. As our gracious host reminded us, he’s never truly been replaced behind the bench, and his #14, while not necessarily destined for the rafters, should be given some sort of special recognition in a few years, once the memories of the decade of darkness begin to fade.
He was a great captain, a great coach, a solid prospect evaluator (Bakersfield this year speaks to that, as does Klefbom) and a great person. Let’s not let his subpar management record and association with Chia completely overshadow his much longer record of passion and dedication to this team.
Sail on, MacT. I hope he finds nothing but success in the KHL.
I love Trouba and think he is the perfect fit for the Oilers. When big buff went down, I watched him closely to see this player excellent. I think he would make an excellent 1st pairing Dman for the Oil and would team up perfectly with Klefbom. I would also like to add that if Trouba does not want to sign, that Tyler Myers is an excellent choice for second pairing RHD. Either way, bother these players will not be with Winnipeg and have no future there. Both of them are exactly what the Oilers D is missing….
Trouba wants to play in the U.S.
He isn’t long for WPG and certainly won’t be for EDM.
Based on recent reports about other teams being interested in acquiring ML,
Ethan Bear or a 2020 4th should be enough to move that contract without taking a bad one back.
Unless we’re talking about something thar can be 95% buried in the AHL.
I think you’ve surrounded the neccessary sweetener though
I seriously was happy to lurk until next October, but seeing how you mentioned the upcoming Holland regime I’d like to state that already I can feel a breath of fresh air, like in Total Recall when Mars starts regenerating itself and the people no longer have to pay to breathe.
Ken Holland is like Henry Fonda’s Wyatt Earp character in John Ford’s epic western My Darling Clementine. He’s going to clean up the Oilers big time, and fast.
Like the other poster said, the rest of the OBC are quaking in their collective boots, hurriedly packing to join the upcoming “MacT Exodus”
Was that so hard?
Now we both feel better
Just a thought…..everyone is assuming that MacT was relieved of his duties by Holland. Just as easy to believe that Holland may have wanted to keep MacT . Every interview up to this point had Holland seeking Mact’s advice. Too easy to assume the new GM has come out swinging. Just as many reasons to assume it’s business as usual.
#becauseoilers
Lots of careful words today, me thinks a lesson or two was learnt from the Holland/Katz presser.
Nice post Sheps,
But my friend Hunter has some contrasting views
It’s just all so confusing
We are so damaged as a fan base we cant even accept that MacT was informed there was no future for him under Ken Holland
I find it hard to believe that on a whim, MacT suddenly woke up and decided he was going to pack his shit for Russia. How many North American coaches have accepted an extended call of Duty in the KHL?….I don’t buy it for a second
EVENTUALLY you will be correct … 🙂
I was optimistic about Pete. Completely reserving / withholding / hiding my optimism for Holland. I am treating him like the city of St. Louis slogan. SHOW ME. SHOW ME KEN.
Dustylegnd,
Fact is, we don’t know…so will fill in the blanks
This,
There is no evidence thus far that he is cleaning out ****.
Hunter and I can both be right. It really just depends on your point of view.
Yes. Agreed. And would be expensive requiring salary out. It was a bit of a pipe dream out loud. Mostly brought about by Trouba stating recently that he wants to be a first pairing guy (won’t happen in Winnipeg because of Buff) ..preferably in the States. I am hoping that preferably means that possibly he could be swayed. I despise play on words, but…?
Nobody said he wasn’t a quality human being, you can only make major mistakes after you have had an extended run of managerial success, and I am pretty sure MacT aint going hungry any time soon, so his move to Russia is by choice not necessity.
For the love of god how do fire anyone after a 48 game sample and decided that doing it by Skype is acceptable on any level???
A lot of logical leaps in here today. Anger brings it out I guess.
Thank you for asking.
I feel much better.
Enjoy your summer.
If you have to ask the question 😉
I live in WPG and best buds with a couple knowledgeable season ticket holders…they wouldn’t say Trouba has played like a first pairing d-man this year. In fact, down the stretch Myers was better in their opinion.
How did MacT contribute to the success of the Condors? He didn’t acquire any of the players. Losing Woodcroft is meh. The new coach will almost certainly be just as successful because he might have an even better roster next year.
OriginalPouzar,
Darling was an idea I haven’t thought of. I have been thinking Reimer would be a better fit for both teams. Who would you prefer?
– If Woodcroft leaves after a successful season to brighter pastures: that’s a good thing. It makes the position more desirable for a future aspiring NHL coach, and the quality of candidates goes up, as there is a track record of success.
Firing him sends the message that things are going to change. MacT deciding to take a coaching job elsewhere does not.
From June 25/14 –
“The Oilers announced on Wednesday that they acquired the free agent rights to defenseman Nikita Nikitin from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick. They reportedly wasted little time in getting a contract finished, signing Nikitin to a two-year, $9 million deal according to TSN’s Bob McKenzi”
Sail on.
Sends the message to whom? The fans? Connor? The rest of the ‘red wine summit’ crew? Why would a public firing and the potential humiliation to an incredibly loyal Oiler be the desired outcome, especially if the result is the same?
I’m not necessarily convinced this move has anything to do with message sending, but rather MacT making a choice to move on, similar to the way he left 10 years ago after missing the playoffs. In 2009 he knew it was time to go. Maybe he wants this new challenge, maybe he knew he didn’t have much of a future in Edmonton. We’ll never truly know one way or the other if Holland gave him a gentle shove or if MacT actually chose to step aside with dignity and grace for his own sake.
When Craig leaves for Russia,send Lucic along with him. I bet his no trade contract does not mention the KHL. Much as it is a surprise announcement that Craig is leaving, Lucic will be more surprised when he leaves with him. This all happens if locomotive takes his contract.
I guess the other thing to consider is he saw the writing on the wall a while ago and started looking. Pretty quick turnaround to find a job (Holland was only hired on the 7th).
And the Petry fiasco tells you sall you need to know about McT as a GM
I will give MacT credit for his ability to know when he has run his course be it as a coach or in management, he clearly can read the tea leaves, he moved himself along…..full credit
stephen sheps,
– I agree with this. I liked your MacT: these are human beings, your story wonderful insight into him
– Really does it matter if MacT got fired, left on his own, read the tea-leaves, the organization helped him find a good landing, or he finally wanted out, or he has a hot mistress in Russia.
– There is not denying MacT’s departure results in a profound change in structure, a chance for new voices: needed for a long time. A necessary but not sufficient move
Trouba is already a 1st pairing guy. Plays all the tough minutes, with Morrisey, against the other teams top lines. What he might be looking for, besides a US address, is more powerplay time.
Think about it Grasshopper.
Right?
There’s not a lot of offence there. Same contract as Dumba with basically 40% fewer points. That said he’s their top-pair LHD. Averaged +24 mins / game last year.
I can’t help feeling the nadir of this franchise is on the other side of Sunday.
Jeebuz H, I’d bet a lot of people agreed with you on this, but it’s fair to say that no-one had even the slightest idea how much of an understatement this would turn out to be.
I would think firing a 35 year bleed for the Oilers employee would be very tasteless.
G Money,
Hi G! Nice to see you
G, That line in today’s post is not bolded like the quoted paragraphs above it.
LT, Is that nadir is on the other side of Sunday line from 2009 or 2019?
Manning as well
Let’s hope this is the start of the housecleaning.
You want to establish true accountability in a culture, it’s a good start firing all of the lifers who can’t produce a single winning KPI to justify their continued involvement. Missing the playoffs for a decade plus should taint everyone. They’re the friggin’ Yahoo of the NHL. Early innovators now reduced to a running joke by their competitors.
I agree with the previous poster that giving Holland the credit for MacT’s move is a bit of a stretch imo as you don’t get a coaching position in 2 weeks (since Holland got on board). Things like this take a while to happen and I believe MacT realized how the OBC is perceived first hand during the season ticket holders breakfast meetings and decided to move on. Anyway, personally I’d like to thank MacT for the 2006 dream run and wish him all the best.
It was from 2009:
https://lowetide.ca/2009/04/10/dont-let-go-the-coat/
One thing I’ve never understood is why some folks conflate criticism or lack of respect for someone’s job performance as if they’re personal slights.
For example, I’ve always found Kevin Lowe to be a friendly and charitable fellow in the community and an absolute warrior on ice. Have nothing but admiration for the guy based on my personal encounters with him. But senior mgmt acumen? Too many blunders to summarize in a short space, so fair game for criticism on his job performance imo.
It’s great to hear MacT is kind to children. That’s a better image for me to leave with him than firing Ralph over Skype which I personally viewed as an egregious ethics bungle.
This idea that criticism should be blunted because they’ve been solid citizens? Hogwash. You take a job in the limelight, you accept the accompanying comments from the peanut gallery.
You’re also speaking from an outsiders perspective.
Holland has been floated as a GM candidate for the Oilers a long time now and it was leaked that he was coming, over a month ago now?
I guess what I’m saying is, if you are MacT you are probably a lot more connected than us outsiders and know who’s coming to your organization and how it may shake out.
I’m not saying with certainty that Holland canned MacT as I am not connected, but I do think it’s a possibility that MacT may have heard Holland was coming and for whatever reason, decided to go somewhere else.
It seems incredibly coincidental that MacT suddenly decided he wanted to be a coach again.. in the KHL of all places following shortly after Holland is announced as GM of the Oilers.
Craig MacTavish, a 60 year old man with ties to the Oilers for over 30 years, who has spent the last 7 or so years in an upper management role with the Oilers, has suddenly decided he wants to go coach in Yaroslavl Russia for 2 years shortly after the announcement that Holland was hired as Oilers GM.
HMMMMMM……….
I suspect that as Burgers worked through the process, there was a gradual realization that ‘protecting the culture’ was not going to fly with substantial candidates demanding autonomy.
Once the lifers caught wind of that, I’m sure they were working their recruitment contacts and firing out resumes like liferafts off the Titanic.
Survival is our strongest instinct even amongst the professionally inept.
Reja, stephen sheps,
I want to see another Stanley Cup in Edmonton in my lifetime. Maybe you guys don’t have the same desire as me. Getting rid of the problem areas is a step in that direction. I’m not bringing out the pitchforks and demanding a public humiliation, I want to know that Ken Holland is making the necessary changes in the organization. You both might be content with another decade of darkness but personally I’m all for hurting a few peoples feelings if it helps us towards having a winning hockey team.
My guess is an ‘all of the above’, MacT:
– had developed contacts and genuine interest in Russia
– did sense the winds of change could be blowing
– advanced the interest in the Russia job – enough to take it many steps down the line
– started to nail down what the options were if, and more ‘when’ by this stage, Holland came on board
– got a firm sense of the lay of the land
– welcomed Holland
– found there would definitely be changes
– finalized Russia job
I also believe all the players in this little drama respected each other enough that there was little in the way of drama or miscommunication in this little, all too human, play.
Only question I have… does this increase the chance we draft Podkolzin?
That’s exactly why I shared my story but also didn’t mute the critiques of MacT the manager. He definitely made some dreadful mistakes in that capacity, but those mistakes aren’t the entire story of his Oilers career and now that he’s leaving (again), it doesn’t make sense to me at least to take such a narrow view of MacT’s Oiler career. Instead of focusing on the hot take, why not take the long view?
Does it even matter why MacT left. I’m just happy he’s gone.
– Its fun to read back on that. Bank Shot was money in 2009, just took 10 years!
– It’s amazing to read through: same criticism of MacT and Lowe: calling it correctly. Here we are
BANK SHOT says:
April 10, 2009 at 5:01 am
Of course the Oilers have a plan, Lowe said it himself. Copy Detroit.
* I was trying to go to the bottom of that post and put in something funny that in 10 years I think they will hire Holland: alas I couldn’t do it!
bwar,
clearly you didn’t read a word I said if that’s the take you got. I’ve been a fan since the my childhood in the 80s, ran my own Oilers blog for 8 years, have been commenting here since 2007, and am building a career as a sport sociologist with a hockey focus. Don’t you dare question my loyalty to this team or my desire as a fan to win many more cups in my lifetime.
I’m not a Manager-MacT apologist and I think it’s the best thing for the club and for MacT the person for this parting of ways, but if you think that a public firing rather than a private ‘hey, maybe it’s best for all of us if we go our own ways’ chat is the best way to build a winning culture, you do you. What matters most is that the change has happened, and I’d much rather the change be done in a decent, respectful way.
The long view being that he stayed too long at the fair?
I don’t think Darnell was coming in at anything less than $6M on a 7-8 year deal and this contract certainly doesn’t help the cause. Its going to be a storyline next off-season.
Bag of Pucks,
The long view being that his failures as a manager are only part of his Oilers story. It’s a really shitty part mind you but not the only part. So to answer your question, yes he did stay too long at the fair, but that’s not really the long view I was getting at.
This is a sail on post, usually reserved for players and people of impact and high regard to the blog’s host. I personally want to also remember the good stuff about him and his time with the Oilers as he departs, not just the bad. This includes the impact he had on me as a kid, which helped make me a lifelong fan of the team.
One can be critical without being cruel just as one can be positive without being sycophantic.
Great story Sheps. Thanks for sharing.
Craig McTavish has had one heck of a life so far and glad he also took time in his crazy schedule to listen to you and others. His KHL appointment surprised me a bit—but what the heck, the guy continues to amaze and write a fantastic life biography.
I wonder if they can wait out Varlamov in free agency. Not sure who is in the market for a goalie, but if he is still available a week into July i could see a 1 year “show-me” contract for him. Much like Lehner did, he’d be betting on himself.
nice call. (was not sure due to the bolding ending before the quote did.)
stephen sheps,
A public humiliation and a public firing are very different. It’s not classless for Holland to inform the media that MacT was relieved of his duties and allowed to seek a job elsewhere. I’m not looking for a public lynching here, I just want to know what is actually occurring. I want to know if the “culture” is changing in Edmonton, I want to know if this organization is taking steps in the right direction, I want to know if Ken Holland is just another member of the OBC.
stephen sheps,
https://tenor.com/view/scrubs-christopher-turk-donald-faison-run-running-gif-4204741
Nit64,
I inferred the inclusion of the Sunday quote because of the prior reference to Sunday and also because it didn’t make sense in any current context.
Which sounds smart, except the real smart thing to do would have been to check! 😉
Is it too late for a Jethro Tull song title?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=go3eKrh1P1A
50% grade for Godot10:
“I’m exceptionally glad that MacT was Gagner’s and Cogliano’s coach for their first two seasons. They are far more likely to be complete players because of it”.
Then by having MacT taking the coaching position in Russia and giving up his comforts of the OBC, you must be the only one who does not see that there are changes coming?
Pretty sure Holland knows what he is doing here.
~Fans will need that for every decision until they rebuild trust. We could work that into a series of 60 minutes shows. ~
Oil Spill !!!
bwar,
– What matters is MacT isn’t here, not the semantics of whether it was a constructive dismissal, time to go, or a power-play by Holland. He is literally being sent to Siberia. That isn’t the first choice of a high-powered executive with 30 years tenure. He made the best of the situation.
– To expect from Holland to say anything other than: “we thank Craig for his dedication to the organization and he played an integral role over many decades with the team”.
– It doesn’t a MBA in HR to see understand Craig’s “Bold Move” isn’t a promotion, and if he had the opportunity to stay on, he would have remained.
– It’s time
I think people are glad MacT is going precisely because he stayed too long. That tends to exhaust goodwill. I don’t think the commentary is as invested in being cruel to MacT as it is relief the org is finally turning the page and certainly some overall derision that it took this long.
Put me squarely in the camp of those who’ve lost patience with this interminable rebuild. It’s hardest on us old guys who are running out of racetrack!
Your are leaving out a lot of that post. I grade out a lot higher than 50%. It aged a lot better than that.
GODOT10 says:
April 10, 2009 at 2:06 pm
MacT sat Hejda on the bench for 40 games and thought nothing of letting him walk.
Kevin Lowe gave MacT a pretty good defense this year. MacT decided to play Studwick over Smid most of the time.
There have to be some pretty serious communications problems between MacT and Lowe. How can one guy give Pouliot a two year contract when the other guy thinks he is crap. Pouliot’s contract meant Reasoner was NOT going to get one. Do these guys talk to each other?
The things that made MacT good enough until recently was that he didn’t made mistakes on players, and that he had a top 10 PK. That tilted the balance in favor of the good MacT over the bad MacT. Well, the PK abandoned him. Did MacT turn over the PK to Buchberger? Cronyism over results?
But where there is a mess on the roster today is as much MacT’s fault as is Lowe’s. Hejda, Glencross, Pouliot, Penner, Moreau.
Penner has his flaws, but MacT refused to use him to his strengths. It was. I don’t like this guy. I’m going to throw him under the bus. Results (team results) be damned. He wasted Cole’s season because of it, trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.
With the horrid PK, Moreau was never held accountable for the bad penalties. It is one thing if one has a good PK. Okay. Let Ethan be Ethan. It is another if the damn PK is blowing up the teams’ season.
If not for the emerging craziness, I had resolved myself to accepting the insane goaltender management and a horrible powerplay as part of the MacT package.
I’m exceptionally glad that MacT was Gagner’s and Cogliano’s coach for their first two seasons. They are far more likely to be complete players because of it.
But there was far too much bad MacT this year, and far too little good MacT.
Lowe gave him a team (though flawed) that should have made the playoffs.
MacTavish would have got away with it if not for those pesky mingling kids.
Kinger_Oil.redux,
I totally agree that no matter how this came about, a member of the OBC moving on is a good thing. I’d just have a bit more confidence in Holland if I knew that decision/polite shove came from him.
Not to quibble or anything. You mean figuratively being sent to Siberia. The distance from Yaroslavl to Siberia is 2000 miles….you know…like the distance from Edmonton to Toronto.
Somebody has their knickers in a knot. What exactly can’t you figure out on your own?
LOL. I was not serious. Your call on MacT’s influence on Cogs was spot on. Gags did not listen quite as well.
– I’m not sure what your work background is professionally, but the series of events that led to this is termed a “mutually agreed to parting of ways”. When a guy has tenure and is respected, he isn’t “fired”. He knows the gig is up, when new management comes in, but he’s protected by the organization and the parting of ways allows a saving of face.
– If your fear is that Holland was gutted that MacT found another opportunity, or that this isn’t a demonstration of Holland’s command of the situation: you just don’t get it.
– And if clamouring for public hangings from an organization that has been so loyal to him, wasn’t going to happen.
All the best to you, MacT. GMing was definitely not your thing, hopefully you enjoy your return to coaching.
_____
GMon,
Always great to read your posts!
I know he was responsible for the team, however, I’m not really sure what MacT actually did with respect to the Condors. I do give him full credit for the Lagesson draft pick though.
Is the second person you mention Woodcroft or Keith Gretzky? Woody did a great job this year but I would suggest the main reasons for success this year were the team builders, mainly Chiarelli/Gretzky.
The main issue with Trouba is cost – not only acquisition cost but contract cost – he wants to get paid and it may take a big premium to get him to sign in Edmonton, even as an RFA.
I will have to strongly disagree on Myers:
No thank you at all to Tyler Myers. I believe he is extremely over-rated and is going to get a massive overpay given the weak d-market.
Not that Larsson is a real #1 d-man, but Myers is not either and he may not even be a 2nd pairing guy. He was 6th in ES TOI/G for the Jets – yes, he was stuck behind Buff and Trouba but he played 3rd pairing at evens (mainly with Kulikov) and, in those 3rd pairing minutes, he had negative possession numbers and the Jets got less than half the goals. His numbers relative to his teamates were also in the negative meaning they were getting a larger percentage of the shots and goals when he was off the ice.
He’s a huge buyer beware.
I’m not sure there are teams looking to acquire Milan Lucic now (as opposed to maybe last off-season and I’m sure any such willing teams were not going to close the deal without the Oilers taking on pain.
If Bear and a 4th can get a clean disposition, its got to be done, however, I think that deal also comes with 50% retained salary and that’s a much different analysis.
It didn’t take the Bruins long after Peter was fired to have success. Holland is walking into a nice scenario. Alex I’ll take the Oilers as the next Canadian team to win the cup for 500.
I think with MacTavish gone there’s a good chance they’ll be some big changes in the hockey ops group. Here’s a list of people with ties to Holland in Detroit.
1. Todd Nelson – The obvious. He coached three years with AHL team and this past year was an assistant with Dallas last season. He has some kind of ties to the Oilers if memory serves me correctly.
2. Glenn Merkosky – Red Wings Scout for past two decades. He has worked exclusively with Holland for most of their careers. Former AHL Head Coach (when Holland was their GM) and brought into scouting when Holland took over. Also he was Head Coach in OHL with Sudbury where he coached Oiler’s legend Jason Bonsignore.
3. Ryan Martin – Part of Red Wings organization since 2005-06. Scout in the USHL. Was initially hired as Director of Hockey Amin for Wings. Then assistant GM in 2010-11. He’s likely to stay in Detroit as Detroit report Rob Niyo stated he, “Wouldn’t expect a lot of changes w/Wings front-office staff under Yzerman. Current asst GM Ryan Martin is a guy he tried to hire away to Tampa.” Thought that was prior to Verbeek coming to Detroit.
4. Mike Knuble – An assistant coach with Grand Rapids for the past six seasons. Worked with Blashill & Nelson.
5. Curt Fraser – Four year head coach for Griffin’s head coach. (Left with Jim Nill to Dallas) but was let go in 2017-18. Been a coach (head or assistant) in NHL (Dallas, Atlanta, NYI, StL), IHL, AHL, KHL for over 25 years.
6. Dave Lewis – An assistant or head coach with the Red Wing for 17 years. Also, a head coach for Carolina and Boston. An assistant in LA and was the coach for Belarus until 2017-18 season.
7. Paul MacLean – An assistant coach (under Babcock) for six years in Detroit. Former coach of the year. Been an assistant coach or head coach for 23 years in IHL, UHL & NHL. Former coach of the year.
8. Chris Chelious – Worked with the Wings for 8 years as a Senior Advisor and Assistant Coach
9. Joe McDonnell – Highly doubtful. He’s director of amateur scouting for Dallas since Jim Nill took over. He was part of the Detroit team for 18 years.
10. Tim Murray – Murray’s first job in NHL scouting was reporting to Holland. Before he followed uncle Brian around. He’s a good talent evaluator but probably doesn’t have the people skills his uncle had.
Bonus – Shawn Horcoff – Currently director of player development.
That was great Stephen.
Thank you.
Hope springs eternal.
It has to if you’re an Oiler fan.
This has been the most hilarious Lowetide day ever.
MacT gets run out of town on a rail, and the proles wonder whether or not he was pushed or was he in full control of his situation?
Here’s the straight dope, the real deal, the final word:
He’s gone!!
Even Woodguy is lost for words, when confronted by today’s momentous news.
This is like something that’s akin to Moses making snakes in front of the Egyptians, who then proceed to make their own snakes.
PS: Enjoy the upcoming summertime, all and every one of you Lowetide fanatics.
MacT backed Eakins past the point of reasonable. MacT’s loyalty is one of his special qualities and lead to his dismissal as manager. I will always have a kindness for him as the Harvey the Hound mascot incident still brings a smile to my face. I wish him nothing but the best moving forward.
Man.
They say GMs get to fire one coach before they are on the block. MacT really wasted his get of jail card to “upgrade” from Ralph to Dallas.
Actions are better than words
Words married to action is best
but hey if you don’t have any blind faith, how are possibly still an Oiler fan?
Excellent post.
MacT has spent time in Russia scouting over the last few years.
I don’t think MacT needs a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.
Gags listened and learned.
He just can’t get to his check on time.
Sam Gagner – high end 4C
I’m serious about that btw.
Who won the your contest Hunter?
You’ve been asked but haven’t come across yet…..
hunter1909,
Even Woodguy is lost for words,
How so?
I’m hoping Ken turns this shit show around.
Too much mingling is the reason Taylor Hall got traded
I’ve always attributed the Nikitin blunder to the fact that you go to war with the scouts you have.
The Oilers by then had an established history of being the last wallflower standing at the Dominion Day Domino Coral (after almost certainly always having offered more than one or two desired players ultimately accepted elsewhere).
MacT was trying to cut this dynamic off at the pass. So he turns to his pro scout, levels his gaze, and demands: is Nikitin a reliable bird in hand, or isn’t he?
And then the pro scout gave him the wrong answer.
Some of this is surely on MacT’s head. The good old “cut them off at the pass” is not a viable option if your pro scout can’t distinguish a donkey carcass from a hole in the ground.
Lifers of the Listicle Louvre would know these names automatically. My sad Google foray informs me the pro scout warming that chair on that fateful day in June 2014 was Morey Gare.
Oilers dump longtime amateur, pro head scouts — 22 June 2015
MacT didn’t do the dirty work here, because he’d already fallen on his own tarnished sword. But he might have, had he stuck around.
So there’s six heads on a pike in short succession: Eakins, MacT, McGregor, Gare, Davis, and Hawley.
Has any NHL organization skyped more people over the last decade than the Edmonton Oilers of the putatively Ivy Draped OBC?
For some reason, I clearly recall MacT seeming incredibly nervous on the day that he announced his hire of Dallas Eakins, as if his internal Jerry Maguire CLM mission-statement alarm clock was suddenly clanging loudly inside his head (haven’t checked back; maybe it was my own internal state, resoundingly projected).
Jerry McGuire Mission Statement — 7 March 2011
Fewer clients. Less money.
Fewer donuts. More swarm.
One of the problems with the Oilers is that we bring in GMs not to learn the ropes, but to cut the ropes.
Yet somehow some people profess surprise that we finally cut this Boydian knot by hiring a GM who is old enough to have woven his own ropes—from manicured heritage sisal long since decultivated in Canola Country (if one can debark, one can surely decultivate).
Pass the tequila. I’m feeling verklempt.
I’d agree that he heard it THEN and tries to apply it NOW . But I also think it took a 2nd opinion elsewhere before he took it to heart. Cogs seemed to apply it before he was moved.
Russell for Myers it is.
Great find Pouzar!
Edit: this better work or else
Just curious, how long does someone have to be with the Oilers before it’s no longer OK for them to be fired?
If nothing else I consider myself an expert on management.
Ken Holland has already given notice that the OBC can get to fuck…
Mr Katz, despite his crippling issues re his septum has, with that billionaire’s intuition identified the problem and dealt with it.
Like a sinking ship, the OBC rats are collectively packing their bags because U.S. Marshal Holland is in no mood to waste anyone’s time.
Between the two of us, I fully expect Lucic to get traded without penalty, Nurse to get signed to a reasonable deal, RNH to either buy into the new rebuild or get shot into the proverbial sun(where he will probably turn into an 80 point player), and a seriously competent goalie will be procured from nowhere. And a whole lot more.
But, like the ghost of the prophet Samuel, I need to go back to where I belong…back to the land of the dead. All the best for you and yours for the coming summer.
I should have been more clear. I was not offering my opinion on the jobs MacT or Woodcroft have done with BAK just that they have both received some varying degrees of credit and now they are both gone. Just hoping they get the next hires right.
I’ve seen this a few times. Did I miss something? Where has Woodcroft gone? I haven’t seen anything saying he left the team…for LA or otherwise.
It isn’t for sure but I did hear John Hovan say it’s going to happen. Not sure how reliable he is.
Gotcha, just wondered if I missed an announcement. I think that would be a bad career move for him, he has finally come out from under Todd’s shadow. One more successful year with what should be a pretty talented Condors team and he will get consideration as an NHL head coach. Otherwise he will forever stuck to being Todd’s assistant, and he’s way to young for his story to end that way
Even in Winnipeg, the McTavish moving on is being heralded as true success for the Oilers
franchise.
If you are surprised there is no job for him in the NHL, you have not been paying attention to his body
of work.
Holland is off to a great start here.
The clouds may be starting to part….
stephen sheps,
Great story Mr. Sheps! Craig MacTavish was my Mom’s favourite player when I was growing up watching the future legends. He was one of mine too. I also loved the way he coached Horc into a first-line centre and many other maneuvers he performed with a limited roster. Circa 2005-06 my wife was mentioning a bit too much what a good looking guy that coach was. I started drinking a couple less Wild Turkeys and went to the gym more often. Kept it up, sort of.
I guess I can say MacT was good to me too, or something.
Sheps: Great post. MacT had an impact on a lot of people, wish him well.
Some people are drunk with some very modest AHL success….
Worst team in the NHL for the last 12 years.
Yes, we have some prospects now.
Anyone else notice that the Ducks do as well?
Someone screwed in a 40 watt light bulb…..yes, it s bright now.
Henry,
Wow, that’s weird. He was my Mom’s favourite player from the 80s Oilers too. Must’ve had some Mom Mojo. In the 70s for her it was Bobby Orr, then Gilles Gilbert of all people.
The last 13 years have been a mess and someone has to pay.
Mac T was one of my favorite players and most certainly I loved the 2006 run. He was the better coach in the red wings series and if Rolly had stayed healthy, I do think they would have won the cup. Like Kevin Lowe, I am sure he has bled Oiler blue for all these years. They are both good men and unless some one rights a book like Jimmy D, did, we may never know what caused all the failure.
Sail Oil Mac T. Oiler forever
I am not entirely unconvinced that he may have a secret secondary mission there for the Oilers, scouting.
The new Russian spy!
And now we wait and see if Comrade Horcov climbs on new Holland’s traktor.
https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/oilers-coach-search-hold-holland-deals-mactavish-exit-scouts/
He has a list of “12 to 14” names, and it is believed he has spoken with both Dave Tippett and Todd Nelson already — but the already-delayed scouting meetings have put that coaching quest on the backburner for a few days.
Speaking of sailing, how is the Death March coming along?
Not asking for myself, my picks sucked.
#generalfrontofficeinhabitant…I am going to have to steal that.
The Oiler’s GFOI per 60 was off the charts.
more…
“The pro meetings are really important for me,” Holland said. “They are going to define the 19-20 team. Those are the moves we’re going to be making over the next six or seven weeks.”
In those meetings, Holland was taking stock on which of the inherited scouts he will keep, and which ones he will not. “I anticipate some change. I can’t say how much,” he said.
He hasn’t, however “rumors abound” and, the other day, he was extremely non-committal when asked “where he’d be next year”.
Pronouncements of departure usually don’t work out
Where else can you have this much Oilers fun?
Had a chance to have a glass of Wine with MacT at the old Lux. Very witty and funny. Will be missed ! Prob will be back !!
Sail on Mac T
I would be okay with 8 years at 5.5.
Red or White?
My sympathy for your desperation.?
We should not underestimate the importance of how MacT is leaving.
A deeply entrenched, gloried, very controversial person has exited the Edmonton Oilers, and the organization has not yet again embarrassed itself.
This is a fundamental change in MO. This is massive. This looks like how a normal team operates. This was needed.
I love it.
Keep on trucking shiny new GM.
MacT gone
I’m liking this Holland hire more and more
Mac T’s departure (and others soon to follow I’m sure) should have taken place in 2015
Better late than never I guess
I was always a fan of MacTavish the player and coach
Sail on Mac T
KHL coach or undercover Oiler pro-Scout?
Pretty sure there is Moscow, then St. Petersburg and the rest is Siberia
In my opinion there wasn’t a chance of that, even before the Lindell contract. 24 hours ago, there was, in my opinion, no change an 8 year deal would come in below $6M, now we may be looking at closer to $7M depending on how next year goes.
Pretty sure I found the brand
http://www.summitfinewines.com/
If Holland convinces Lowe and Burgers to go ANYWHERE i’ll get a tattoo of his face on my face.
Carolina Buccaneers leaving the same day as MacT.
2 of my favourite MacT coaching moments:
1. Ripping out that jagoffs tongue.
2. Showing Carolina fans how to count to seven after the Pisani goal.
I’ll always regret not making 10,000 tongues and selling them outside of the old barn before the following BOA. $3 donations to the Human Fund of coors.
Sail on Helmetless
congrats to the Bruins on their conference title
That’s 3 finals in 9 years, that puts them in the conversation among the elite teams of the modern game CHI, LA, PIT
Always RED !!!
i like the Lokomotiv instagram description:
‘Lokomotiv’ is officially reporting the appointment of the head coach of the Canadian specialist Craig Maktaviša, with whom he signed a 2 year contract. Craig Mctavish is known as the titular attacker who won 4 Stanley Cup in the Edmonton Oilers and New York Rangers. As head coach, mctavish worked out nine seasons in the NHL. in ‘Edmonton’ in 2006 – a year under his leadership, the ‘Oilmen’ played in the Stanley Cup final.
stephen sheps,
Great post 🙂 I think a lot of people forget or are not aware of how much good the ol’ guys have poured into Edmonton. I was an 80’s kid as well and those players were always doing charity work and had an immense presence in the community. A lot of character guys on those teams.
Wishing MacT the best in his future pursuits!
From a Spector piece…
“MacT told me he had something in the hopper,” Holland said Thursday. “He felt like he was going to be moving on. He didn’t really tell me what the hopper was.”
Hahaha damn. He’d tell ya, but you’re not on the Skype, Kenny!
“He got up from his chair, threw up double deuces, and left the building. I’ve never seen anything like it before in my life.”
MacT OUT!!
Also in the Spec piece…
“Holland played with the Oilers’s Eastern-based pro scout Paul Messier years ago, spending the 1981-82 season together with the AHL Binghamton Whalers. He lived down the street from Oilers head pro scout Duane Sutter, when Sutter was coaching the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers and Holland was stationed there as a Red Wings scout. Both will be on the hot seat, due to the performance of Edmonton’s pro scouting department under former GM Peter Chiarelli.”
OBC FOR LIFE!!!! Sheeeeet…
Guess what starts tonight? The Memorial Cup – ya baby!
Guelph plays tomorrow (Sat) at 1:30 mountain and Sunday at 5 mountain – perfect for a rainy long weekend.
Halifax and Safin play this evening but Safin has not been a material player for the Moosehead this year.
He missed pretty much all of camp with injury and then, after playing some early games missed the majority of the season with injury. Came back a bit before the playoffs but has been a non-factor completely. I have not seen him play at all this year but, from accounts, he has not been good at all and his skating has been awful.
I wonder if the Oil will want him back in the Q for an over-age season as oppossed to going to the Bake?
Dmitri Samorukov is off to the Memorial Cup and is the Oilers’ fastest rising prospect
https://theathletic.com/980150/2019/05/17/lowetide-dmitri-samorukov-is-off-to-the-memorial-cup-and-is-the-oilers-fastest-rising-prospect/
I have high (reasonable) hopes for Safin, if he needs an overage season due to time lost to injury, so be it. No need to rush him at all.
This whole having an actual prospect pipeline thing is weird – long may it continue!
Its interesting, most of us, including me, project Samorukov spending at least one full year if not two full years in the AHL before really being an NHL option.
With that said, recall, the Ottawa 67s radio play by play guy sung Samorukov’s praises during the series and said he was NHL ready and, now, Sam Cosentino states that Samorukov is the 2nd most NHL-ready prospect in the Memorial Cup, behind only Dobson.