[News] Todd McLellan relieved of duties. Ken Hitchcock named Oilers head coach

[Toonage]

"Why this stapler is the perfect coach for the Oilers now"

"Why my pet ferret is the perfect coach for the Oilers now"

And somewhat on topic:

"Why this inanimate carbon rod is the perfect coach for the Oilers now"

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by Toonage

"Why this inanimate carbon rod is the perfect coach for the Oilers now"

[surferguy]

I can understand the move - Edmonton was worried Ottawa was going to steal their spotlight this year.

[Puppet Guy]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

LOL

Sportsnet @Sportsnet
Ken Hitchcock was the only qualified candidate who'd be willing to join without a long-term commitment. @SportsnetSpec on why he makes perfect sense for the #Oilers:

sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/ken…

fixed.

[Split98]

Originally Posted by calf

When my parents retired, they and some of their friends took part-time jobs with no real responsibility and accountability to get them out of the house and make a bit of pocket change.

This is no different.

Originally Posted by calf

So, the all-star break?

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

On fire.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by shadowlord

Quick skim of the first page of HFOilers thread on this hiring:

3 posters said they'd rather have GG take over than hiring Hitchcock.

Thinking more about this, its actually even better because what Chia has done with this is effectively bought himself at least another season.

If Hitch doesnt work out 'he was temporary anyways' and Chia gets another kick at the 'pick a coach' can for a season or two and if Hitch does work out then Chia's a genius!

Its brilliant!

[Manhattanboy]

I may be in the minority here but I admire TM as a coach and thought he would have been good behind the Flames bench.

As others have said it should have been the GM that was fired.

[dirk diggler]

TM is laughing all the way to the bank. continues to get paid and not have to live in Edmonton.

[thefoss1957]

I am no Hitch fan...his style of hockey was archaic LAST decade. He could get nothing sone with some amazing talent in St.Loo. His style seems to stifle creativity. And I get so angry that NHL officials never call interferences on his favorite zone-entry, in which a pick is always the plan.

Q, at least, while he did demand 200 foot effort (see how even Kane backchecks), was okay with creative and attractive offense, and preferred puck possession, to the kind of grinding style that Hitch brings. Q would have been a better for the current game. But, he will be able to be picky, if he wants to return to coaching, or may even prefer the challenge of building an expansion team to his specifications.

I have never been a fan of Yeo...but, even HE would be a better choice than Hitch.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

I wake up every morning and thank god we have Travis Green.

Canucks have lost 6 straight.

[Puppet Guy]

https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/...ers-right-now/



having just read that article, my conclusion:

[shadowlord]

Originally Posted by Manhattanboy

I may be in the minority here but I admire TM as a coach and thought he would have been good behind the Flames bench.

As others have said it should have been the GM that was fired.

The knock on TMac was that although he was a good assistant in Detroit, and in SJ he had the talent but couldn't take it to the next level of playoff success. Then DeBoer comes in and gets them to the SC finals.

Overall, I'd say TMac's SJ teams had more talent throughout the lineup than EDM; which is top-heavy. Chia didn't improve that situation at all, so TMac had no way to be anymore successful than he was in SJ.

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by troutman

Canucks have lost 6 straight.

Yeah but you can't blame that on fat Mark Ruffalo.

[Looch City]

Originally Posted by Puppet Guy

https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/...ers-right-now/



having just read that article, my conclusion:

I expect after they start winning a couple games we'll see:

Why the Oilers are Cup Favourites This Year

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Locke

Well, he probably still has a house there so he got a nice comfy flight and now he can just grab his stuff and go home.

Oiler fans are likely just going to burn his Edmonton house to the ground anyways.

Oh snap, of course!

You have once again demonstrated how Lowe and Co (TM) are - obviously!! - the smartest people in the room. Taking care of their employees like true, fatherly Saints!

[CaptainCrunch]

Prop bet


Which player does Hitchcock hammer into the ground and break first with his nasty edge


1) RNH - "You're soft as this baby poop that I'm going to throw in your stupid face. You can't win a board battle, and you suck"


2) McDavid - "Look at you Mr fancy pants with your hanging out at the blueline waiting for a pass that never comes, from your defensemen that can't pass. If you don't start getting your entitled a%% back into the defensive zone, I'm going to plant this size 12 shoe in your tuckus and boot you into orbit, Mr "Lets Go".


3) Draisaitl - "Get it through your thick head, your side lost WW2, I was there when McArthur accepted your surrender in that rail car. What good are you? huh? You can't run your own line, your a freaking parasite, what good are you? Oh what's that? Are you crying, I thought German's were tough?"

[stemit14]

Originally Posted by Puppet Guy

https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/...ers-right-now/







having just read that article, my conclusion:

Haha! That article is hilarious. It makes it sound like Hitchcock is just going to go into the dressing room and point at each player and say “play better” and everything will be fixed! Why didn’t any other coach think of that? It’s such an easy answer: “Play better.”


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

The Oilers are three points back of third place Vancouver with three games in hand. Given how awful this division is, a short term bump could be enough to squeak in.

Though, assuming Calgary and San Jose manage to stay in two of those three divisional slots, Edmonton would have to finish ahead of Anaheim to get the third. And that is going to be a challenge for them.

Yeah, with how weak the division is, any bump in performance could be enough to squeak them into a playoff spot. And there is probably a pretty good chance that Hitchcock can get them playing better defensively - so maybe that's enough to get in. Though obviously, just missing out is the perfect scenario.

Regardless, it is going to be entertaining as hell to watch.

[Barnet Flame]

I wish Todd McClellen all the best. He seems a good guy.

No way was he the problem in Edmonton. He will be back in that building again showing them what a good coach can do with a well run organisation behind him:

[dash_pinched]

My apologies if already posted:

https://twitter.com/user/status/1064928815414005765