Quote:
Originally Posted by Enoch Root
Lots they could do. Including firing Eakins a month ago, while there was still time to make a difference. They could have benched players. They should have traded one of the core to shake things up. Of course they won't get full value, but sometimes you have to make changes, if only to get more value out of everyone else.
Sitting around and doing nothing for 2 solid months is not incompetence, it is intentional.
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Any other organization and I'd agree but the Oilers firmly believed (and I think still believe) that they are a good team on paper. Despite evidence to the contrary and despite not actually filling any of the holes they've had for years they believe that. They are spending to the cap because of that belief.
No I chalk it up to incompetence. The GM was unable to address the lineup because of incompetence. he has known the team was swirling the drain and he was trying to make deals but refuses to budge off his asking prices. There is holding out for a good deal and then there is over valuing what you have and not recognizing the situation. That's incompetence. He couldn't address the coaching staff any earlier because he already used that bullet with his inappropriate use of Skype.
No I'd love to jump on the intentional tank band wagon but it is outright incompetence. But honestly, now that they are where they are an intentional tank from this point on is a valid strategy. However, given the incompetence of the Oilers that tank may end up in McDavid or Eichel but it will also end up with trade demands from core players and they will set themselves even further back.
Good thing they are going to tutor an AHL coach because there is a pretty darn good chance that next year he's going to be coaching a large number of the same AHL players he coached this year.