The Edmonton Oilers make the Oakland Raiders look like a competent organization.
That’s how bad it’s become for the Oilers, who on Monday fired head coach Dallas Eakins after 112 games behind the bench. It’s the team’s sixth head coaching change since 1999 and one of many puzzling moves from this franchise since its surprising run to Game 7 of the 2006 Stanley Cup Final.
Coaching stability is important, especially for a young team like Edmonton. Many of the most successful clubs since the 2004-05 NHL lockout, including the Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks, all have had the same head coach for at least the past six seasons.
That said, something had to be done in Edmonton. The Oilers have lost 15 of their last 16 games, a span that included an 11-game losing skid. A change was needed, and since general manager Craig MacTavish seems unwilling to change the status quo as far as roster composition is concerned, firing the coach was the only short-term option.
The problem for the Oilers is that a coaching move won’t change the fact that the roster has just two NHL-caliber centers (one being 18-year-old rookie Leon Draisaitl, who should’ve been sent back to the CHL), zero No. 1 defensemen and two goaltenders who are backups at best.
Edmonton’s inability to draft quality players beyond the first round is hurting its depth, and it doesn’t help that the star forwards who were selected with top five draft picks over the last seven years never had to prove themselves before being thrust into top-six roles with long-term, high-paying contracts.
Eakins was set up for failure with this roster. Not even Mike Babcock, who’s considered by many around the league as the top head coach, could help this Oilers team reach the playoffs.
Edmonton needs a veteran head coach with Cup-winning experience who will receive instant respect from the Oilers’ core of talented young players. Instead, Todd Nelson will take over the team. He’s a promising coach from the team’s AHL affiliate in Oklahoma City, but another inexperienced bench boss won’t push Edmonton to another level.
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The only success that can come from this Oilers season is getting lucky in the draft lottery again and winning one of the top two picks in the 2015 NHL draft. Connor McDavid of the Erie Otters and Jack Eichel of Boston University are the only lights at the end of a dark tunnel in Edmonton.
— Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby is the latest player to battle the mumps. He was even allowed to practice Friday despite appearing to be sick. Penguins forward Beau Bennett might also have the mumps.
— The Blackhawks traded forward Jeremy Morin to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for defenseman Tim Erixon on Sunday. It’s essentially a swap of players who used to be top-tier prospects. A change of scenery might be what both players need to take the next step in their careers.
— The Toronto Maple Leafs are 9-1-1 since their embarrassing 9-2 loss to the Nashville Predators on Nov. 18.
— Veteran goaltender Tomas Vokoun has retired, per Zdenek Janda of iSport.cz. The 38-year-old netminder went 300-288-78 with a .917 save percentage in 700 career appearances.
— Goal of the year?
Thumbnail photo via Anne-Marie Sorvin/USA TODAY Sports Images
