NFL Tickets
The number of head coaches fired by the Edmonton Oilers in the last seven seasons has now reached five. The Oilers have notoriously been one of the worst clubs in the NHL for the past few seasons. With 19 points in 31 games, and a last place spot in the Pacific Division, the trend is continuing this season, despite having three first overall picks in Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Nail Yakupov. Dallas Eakins is the latest coaching casualty, being relieved of his duties by Oilers on Dec. 15. You can’t help but wonder, when is it no longer the coach’s fault?
It’s amazing that Kevin Lowe, President of Hockey Operations for the Oilers, still has a job with the team. He started out as an assistant coach with the club in 1998, then moved his was up to head coach by 1999, and was promoted to general manager in 2000. uring the 2008-09 season, he was promoted once more to his current position. Since 1998, Lowe has been through five playoff appearances with the Oilers, most notably a Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2006, and three straight post season qualifications from 1998-01. He’s been with the team for 16 years, and has only made the playoffs five times. This is a very poor success rate for an organization that was once so dominant.
It’s time the Oilers look in the mirror and really try to figure out why they can’t find success. They have been able to stockpile talent through the draft for a few years now, and should be able to at least compete for playoff spot, as opposed to dwell in the bottom of the standings. The problem with the Oilers is deeper than just a coaching change, and maybe it is time for a full executive overhaul in an attempt to change the identity of the team.
It’s time the Oilers get off the coaching carousel and really try to figure out what is going on in the “City of Champions.”
Shaun Lavery is a Calgary Flames writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, or add him to your network on Google.
Share 
