Set to embark on their third head coaching search in the past four years after this morning’s news, the Edmonton Oilers don’t yet have their replacement lined up, and they’ll interview several candidates, reported by TSN’s Pierre LeBrun.
Former Vegas bench boss Bruce Cassidy has been immediately linked to Edmonton, but even if such becomes the case, there’s other figures to consider first given the weight of decisions from here. Few teams have the pressure that’s rising in Oil-land after their first round flop.
If they wish to go all out on trying to find a spark with the clock ticking on the Connor McDavid era, Peter Laviolette is always worth a thought. The 61-year-old last served as head coach of the Rangers, leading them to a Presidents’ Trophy in year one. He was out of a job a year later, but New York has by no means found greener pastures without him yet.
Craig Berube, fired yesterday by Toronto, also has a Stanley Cup to his name. Patrick Roy and Dean Evason, both of whom had their moments on Long Island and in Columbus, are worthy candidates to make the rounds in interviews from prospective teams this summer. Finally, a longshot who will probably warrant a look, assistant Paul Coffey, if they went the internal route.
Offering a roster which needs work, but still featuring two of the premier players in the NHL, Edmonton would assumingly be on the top of Cassidy’s list as a top job for the widely considered #1 available coach. Still, the Oilers have a two year window with McDavid under contract, and they must get it right. The next coach to come to town will be his sixth, and Leon Draisaitl’s eighth.
Elsewhere across the league:
- With the off-season now in swing after last night’s crushing overtime loss to Colorado, the Minnesota Wild face big questions if they’ll take another step. Michael Russo of The Athletic wrote on what’s next for general manager Bill Guerin as he must win over Quinn Hughes, with his upcoming free agency after next year an elephant in the room. Guerin assembled what is likely the most talented roster in franchise history, but they went out unceremoniously in five games. Already thin down the middle, Joel Eriksson Ek’s injury was a major blow, and Jonas Brodin’s absence forced them to lean on Jacob Middleton, which proved costly. It figures that another big trade swing will be in order, perhaps for Robert Thomas or Vincent Trocheck, the #1 priority. Veterans Vladimir Tarasenko, Mats Zuccarello, and Marcus Johansson’s contracts all expire this summer, not to mention trade deadline acquisitions Nick Foligno and Michael McCarron, presenting the opportunity to shake things up on the attack. Whatever’s in store, it’s not a stretch to say it’s the most important offseason in their 25 year history.
- Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet speculated on yesterday’s episode of 32 Thoughts Podcast that Zach Werenski would become the next Columbus Blue Jackets captain, depending on what may happen with their current “C” Boone Jenner, who is set to hit free agency. The longest tenured Jacket, Jenner broke though in 2013, during an era where R.J. Umberger was still a key contributor. 13 seasons later, his team just made a huge commitment to 34-year-old Charlie Coyle, enough to raise questions on what comes next. If Jenner is to move on, capitalizing on a dry free agent market, Werenski would have the chance to become the eighth captain in franchise history. The 28-year-old has held things down on the blue line in 642 regular seasons for Columbus, and is signed through 2027-28.
Bill Guerin has a long way to go to get the Wild into contention.
The Blues are not going to trade Robert Thomas, and especially not to Minnesota.
Agreed Thomas won’t be traded. Wild have no resources worth a top shelf player. They shot their wad on Quinn Hughes , the way over paid Kaprisov the future is not looking so rosey . I guess we’ll see what they get for the 6 million dollar goalie.
Trade Nurse. For anything.
Hire Craig Berube.
Trade for Saros.
Get faster not older.
Swing big or go home.
I highlight Saros as he’s a perfect buy low candidate that won’t cost you much if the team wants off that contract. Just make sure you send Jarry back the other way.
If Coffey wanted to work and travel all the time he would have already been the coach or a real GM or thinking on the smarter side President of hockey operations ! He doesn’t want it !!!!
can’t wait for bowman to hire another retread .. slap another used band-aid in goal and waste a couple more mcdavid years
Anyone have a thought on where Toronto is going? From the outside, it seems like they have brought down most of their hockey structure, leaving ownership and execs. New GM, another coach, (likely to bring his own crew in) high level players wondering about their futures.
Are they assembling yet another rebuild, or is it something to try to take the next step on the steps they’ve built already. I’d think it would be hard to take a next step if the existing steps are dismantled and under remodeling.
Thoughts?
Learning to live without Marner on the fly.
Berube firing makes me think that AM will be staying and they’re going to run it back with McKenna on his flank. They should probably trade AM and stockpile talent, but unlikely ownership waves that flag. This group won’t cut it, or rather it would take a lot of what ifs to go right. Healthy AM, Healthy goaltending, maybe sign a RHD that can play top four. It’s not beyond the realm of possibility, which is why us fans are stuck in perpetual torment. The team needs to face some hard truths… Was Berube really the problem? Can we continue to ignore our defense? Essentially so long as AM remains on the team, ownership feels content in trying to table a playoff team. Ironically, what the team needs most would bring them them the most amount of job insecurity – only adding to our limbo status, and consequently our suffering. Call it a conflict of interest, but here in Toronto, we call that the status quo.
Let the insanity continue!
Like I said the other day, if Bowman made this move without Cassidy in his back pocket already and hires someone like Laviolette or Evason this could be a complete disaster.
There is no other coach who is that kind of difference maker available. Jon Cooper ain’t walking through that door. If Bowman can’t get this done just call it now. Fire everyone, trade McDavid, it’s over.