[News] Oilers fire Krueger. Eakins to be named HC shortly

[billybob123]

Originally Posted by memphusk

When was the last time a team hired a coach that really made a difference on a rebuilding team? How long did he stick around after that?

Does Paul Maclean count?

[Robbob]

don't feel to bad for Krueger as he will still get paid the remaining term of his contract until he takes a job (assuming he didn't initially sign a one year term). I can probably see him go back to Europe if he was really wanting a coaching gig.

[burn_this_city]

I'll laugh if Eakins is hired by another team and the Oilers get stood up again.

[Robbob]

it would be pretty hysterical if Eakins backed and went to vancouver

[Locke]

Originally Posted by trackercowe

I love how they let Kruger hang out to dry for a couple months after the season ended, and now he might not be able to find a position prior to the start of next year. If he wasn't the right man for the job now, why did they think anything else after the season ended? Not much changed since MacT took over as GM, so they should have let Kruger go then.

I hate when teams do that type of crap. If you're going to fire someone don't make him twist in the wind for a couple months. Be honest and up front about it, and give him the best possible chance to find future employment.

The Oilers constantly fare poorly in essentially every personnel decision, and today was no different.

Eakins might be a decent hire, but he could also be the AHL flavor of the month coach just like Guy Boucher was before he went to Tampa.

The Oilers did the exact same thing to MacTavish, Quinn and Renney.

Leaving their staff twisting in the wind has become organizational policy.

[killer_carlson]

Originally Posted by Locke

Krueger is going to have to learn the hard way that the Edmonton Oilers are a results-oriented franchise. He thinks delivering a 7th round pick is good enough? They were in a playoff spot for a while there! Thats frightening!

First overall, or top 3 are the only acceptable results! Dammit Kreuger, what did you think you were doing?

This is awesome! Im going to get tonnes of play out of this joke for weeks and weeks here in edmonton.

[d_phaneuf]

Terry Jones ‏@sunterryjones 30m
Ralph Krueger was fired by Skype.

...

[Azure]

So they hired Eakins, but its just not official? Why would you say you hired him then?

[CaptainCrunch]

They fired him over the internet, that's one small step above sliding a note under his door and running.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

They fired him over the internet, that's one small step above sliding a note under his door and running.

They did not fire Krueger over the internet. MacT in his presser said he called Krueger the day before it was announced.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

They did not fire Krueger over the internet. MacT in his presser said he called Krueger the day before it was announced.

on Skype

which is over the internet

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

on Skype

which is over the internet

I get it now, was thinking e-mail. Many households use Skype as their way to talk to others. Between skype at home and cell phones on the road, our household has no reason to use our mainline. I don't see a big deal getting fired over skype rather than a mainline.

[Erick Estrada]

Well as long as the Oilers are the Oilers the Flames never have to worry about being top dog as the joke of the NHL. Firing a guy over Skype? Really? I believe these matters should be done face to face as firing over the phone or Skype shows a lack of professionalism.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Well as long as the Oilers are the Oilers the Flames never have to worry about being top dog as the joke of the NHL. Firing a guy over Skype? Really? I believe these matters should be done face to face as firing over the phone or Skype shows a lack of professionalism.

I agree you do it face to face if you can. I believe i read that Krueger was in Europe at the time. I rather be told on phone or skype, rather than have to fly all the way back to Edmonton just to get a pink slip.

[Azure]

Skype is a great way to improve communication, especially in a business such as the NHL where you have people all over the place. That being said, when you fire your head coach, at least have the decency to do it face to face in a proper setting.

Edmonton being Edmonton.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

I agree you do it face to face if you can. I believe i read that Krueger was in Europe at the time. I rather be told on phone or skype, rather than have to fly all the way back to Edmonton just to get a pink slip.

Well the Oilers have known for weeks that they were letting him go so I'm sure there should have been some opportunity to meet face to face. I really don't have an issue with MacTavish hiring his own guy but the way they went about it was pretty bush league. He should have fired him right after the season rather than carry out interviews for supposedly associate head coaches or whatever they pretended they were doing while Krueger was still head coach in title.

[Walter Reed]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Well the Oilers have known for weeks that they were letting him go so I'm sure there should have been some opportunity to meet face to face. I really don't have an issue with MacTavish hiring his own guy but the way they went about it was pretty bush league. He should have fired him right after the season rather than carry out interviews for supposedly associate head coaches or whatever they pretended they were doing while Krueger was still head coach in title.

The Oilers knew for weeks ....?
Really, .... I hadn't heard or read that anywhere. Can you please provide the link to this revelation, thanks.

[Azure]

Josh Rimer ‏@JoshRimerHockey 42s
Krueger & MacTavish were already talking about next seasons game plan and Krueger never felt that he would not be with the team this year.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Well the Oilers have known for weeks that they were letting him go so I'm sure there should have been some opportunity to meet face to face. I really don't have an issue with MacTavish hiring his own guy but the way they went about it was pretty bush league. He should have fired him right after the season rather than carry out interviews for supposedly associate head coaches or whatever they pretended they were doing while Krueger was still head coach in title.

I actually believe MacT when he said he was looking for an assocaite coach to bridge the gap between Krueger and himself. Should he have figured it out sooner that Krueger was not his guy? Yes he should. That said even if takes longer than it should have for him to think he would rather have Eakins in instead of Krueger then you do it. What would have been the point of going with Krueger from here on out?

It probably did not sink into MacT's head until he interviewed Eakins. Eakins must also give one hell of an interview, to go from associate coach to head coach.

I get that its great to dump on Edmonton for this, but there are a whole slew of posters that would have no problem if Edwards called up Feaster/Hartley tomorrow and told them they were let go, even though months have passed. I am one of those posters.

[Walter Reed]

One thing for sure, both Alberta NHL teams sure have provided media & fans plenty of head scratcher antic's & amusement these past 12 months. It's never dull.