The Edmonton Oilers have fired head coach Dave Tippett after back-to-back sluggish games, returning from the All-Star break. Take out the recent stretch of 5-0-1, and the Oilers might be one of the worst teams in the NHL lately.
Tippett’s downfall was his inability to motivate his squad, and it shows in the Oilers leading the league at allowing the first goal of the game (32 times out of 44 games), and that is crucial when they’re the only undefeated team when scoring first (12-0-0).
Starting 39-year-old Mike Smith on back-to-back days, coming off two serious injuries, was probably the last straw for Ken Holland and Oilers’ management. Both losses, which were ultimately decided on goaltending performance.
The New Bench Boss…
I’m told Woodcroft and Manson take over bench in Edmonton. Tippett and Playfair fired. https://t.co/1dONdlxckG
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) February 10, 2022
Jay Woodcroft will be the Oilers’ new Head Coach. Seems as though Edmonton’s Associate Coach Jim Playfair is also gone, and his duties will be taken over by Dave Manson.
Woodcroft served as an Assistant Coach for Todd McClellan for the Oilers from 2015 to 2018, before being appointed Head Coach of their AHL affiliate Bakersfield Condors.
Manson played 1103 career NHL games (219 with EDM) and is the father of Anaheim Ducks‘ defensemen Josh Manson. He has been the Assistant and Defense Coach in Bakersfield since 2018.
Jay Woodcroft can bring a new identity to an Edmonton Oilers team that is too easy to play against.
Woodcroft’s club in Bakersfield works hard, and both him and Manson have developed prospects well. Guys we’ve seen make the jump to the NHL like Bouchard, Lagesson and Yamamoto, along with call-ups: Skinner, Benson, Broberg, and Marody.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see some younger guys get some more looks now that Woodcroft is up with the NHL club too. Some notables would be Stuart Skinner and Tyler Benson.
Skinner was denied a start last night even though Mike Smith started, and lost the night before. Benson has been a healthy scratch the past 7 games. Even though he has only 1 assist in 19 games this season, sitting in the press box for long stretches isn’t helping his development either.
Time to Turns Things Around
Like when Bruce Boudreau took over the Vancouver Canucks, hopefully the Oilers’ can look like a completely different team and climb back up the standings.
Edmonton is currently 5th in the Pacific Division and 5 points out of the playoffs. The club is still close and have a lot of season left to fight for a spot.
With 3 games against division foes next week, there’s no better time for Woodcroft to give the Edmonton Oilers a new winning mentality.