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

[Tron_fdc]

How long until he runs Mcdavid out of town?

[direwolf]

Not a terrible hire by the Oilers. But I agree, Hitch is a dinosaur and likely won't be able to save the Oilers. And is he really a better coach than McLellan? I don't think so.

[The Professor]

Crazy. Long term bad move. But in the short term he might just have the respect to convince the Oilers to play team defence. Hoping it explodes in their faces.

[habernac]

wow

[SuperMatt18]

On one hand I don't think Hitchcock is really a new age NHL hire.

But if he can get the rest of that roster to just play strong defense, and then rely on McDavid for 100% of the team's offense, then maybe they squeeze into the playoffs.

[GioforPM]

Those pining for GG, take heart. I think Hitch will just oversee everything and GG will do stuff like run the bench and systems. I think hiring Hitch may just be PR.

[bigdl]

Originally Posted by Boo Radley

As long as that smug, arrogant Kevin Lowe remains with that organization they will always be no good.

Katz will never get rid of him. therefore, E will always = NG.

Exactly, and why they can fire all the GMs and coaches they want it will never fix their problem

[devo22]

Hitch is (or was?) a good coach, but the problems of the Oilers run much deeper. Hitch will have to do the same as McLellan, which is trying to overcome their lousy depth by double- and triple-shifting McDinkleberg and his two decent sidekicks. Shuffling deck chairs on the Titanic, nothing more.

[joejoe3]

Originally Posted by Locke

Ahahahaha!!!!

Oh man. This is gonna be good. Say goodbye to your sweet, sweet stats Connor! You're going to have to backcheck and actually try and win faceoffs now!

Connor is gonna get McCocked so hard to do all the above

[Toonage]

Aren't Hitch & Nicholson buds too? This team never fails to fail.

[Sutter_in_law]

First we got Coach Q fired, now TMac. Who's next??

[HotHotHeat]

Originally Posted by chummer

They replaced the wrong guy.

Can't believe Chiarelli gets a pass.

He drafted McDavid, the guy is a genius.

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Aren't Hitch & Nicholson buds too? This team never fails to fail.

For sure, the Hockey Canada ties run deep.

[Robbob]

McLellan is probably the happiest person in the world right now.

[jg13]

This is honestly hilarious.

[Split98]

LOL!

GG would have been much funnier, but could be just as fun to watch. They'll have a spurt from this for sure, and maybe even win TN - which'll be a bonus to their friends down south. But I was glad Hitch retired, as he was clearly done. Nevermind that coaching wasn't their problem in the first place. The happiest to hear this news is probably Todd.

Unless he's been studying like a mad-man and has some great ideas (he's Hitch, it's possible) I think this is just a last crack at another comeback before Edmonton tries pursuing Q with their shiny new toy.

[taxbuster]

E=NG stays true to form! Brings in another guy well past his Best Before date. Will be interesting to watch.

[Looch City]

Nice, so this season will be a write-off as well as they adjust to the new coach.

Then next season they'll still suck because the coach isn't the actual problem.

And then by the end of that season, they'll be back in full rebuild mode.

[sureLoss]

8 coaches in 10 years for the Oilers.

[Split98]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Aren't Hitch & Nicholson buds too? This team never fails to fail.

Which could lead to this being more of a favour than an opportunity.