Edmonton Press Conference: Krueger OUT as head coach.

[doulos]

to be fair they didnt steal his idea

they improved upon it

An excellent point. MacT has the Upper Management thing down pat it seems. That's a textbook douche boss move.

[Loch]

I swear this is the job cycle for an Oiler's head coach lately:

Interview
GM: "So coach, what do you think we need to do here"
Coach X: "Well, you've been giving up too many goals. You're bottom 5 in the league in face-offs. The special teams have been mediocre at best."
Gm: "Go on..."
Coach X: "We need to improve our puck control so that we aren't handing the other team possession so much, maybe tweak the D line a bit and bring in someone to help on the draws"
G: "Sounds good, really like where your head is at. You're hired!"

Start of season
GM: "Here you go, top 10 draft pick, skilled forward."
Coach X: "But what about the D and face-offs"
GM: "It's called coaching, go get em champ."

End of Season
GM: "Sorry, we're going to have to make a change, we didn't see the improvement we were hoping for..."
Coach X: "But the you didn't make any of the roster changes we discussed."
GM: "Turn in your keys on your way out."

[Shake]

As expected.


Darren Dreger ‏@DarrenDreger 1m

Dallas Eakins will be introduced as the Oilers Head Coach tomorrow. #TSN

[Mr. Guru]

This is the best team for Eakins to take.

There was no way Dallas Eakins was taking this job as an assistant, so MacT must have really wanted him or was buying what Eakins was selling during the interview.

Eakins has a good rep with working with youngsters so the Oilers should be a good fit. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out and what other plans are in the works.

[hawkdog]

I swear this is the job cycle for an Oiler's head coach lately:

Interview
GM: "So coach, what do you think we need to do here"
Coach X: "Well, you've been giving up too many goals. You're bottom 5 in the league in face-offs. The special teams have been mediocre at best."
Gm: "Go on..."
Coach X: "We need to improve our puck control so that we aren't handing the other team possession so much, maybe tweak the D line a bit and bring in someone to help on the draws"
G: "Sounds good, really like where your head is at. You're hired!"

Start of season
GM: "Here you go, top 10 draft pick, skilled forward."
Coach X: "But what about the D and face-offs"
GM: "It's called coaching, go get em champ."

End of Season
GM: "Sorry, we're going to have to make a change, we didn't see the improvement we were hoping for..."
Coach X: "But the you didn't make any of the roster changes we discussed."
GM: "Turn in your keys on your way out."

classic! that is funny

[doulos]

One concern I have is the difference between a coach who is good at 'developing' player and a coach who is going to win games at the NHL level.

[MXHockey]

One thing about Krueger........why would you even suggest getting an associate coach?

That right there says you're in over your head. Someone leading an NHL team should never give off that vibe. You're the "head coach", either step up and be the "head coach", or be an assistant.

No one in that position should be willing to share the reigns if the believe they can do the job.

[hockeymanG23]

I swear this is the job cycle for an Oiler's head coach lately:

Interview
GM: "So coach, what do you think we need to do here"
Coach X: "Well, you've been giving up too many goals. You're bottom 5 in the league in face-offs. The special teams have been mediocre at best."
Gm: "Go on..."
Coach X: "We need to improve our puck control so that we aren't handing the other team possession so much, maybe tweak the D line a bit and bring in someone to help on the draws"
G: "Sounds good, really like where your head is at. You're hired!"

Start of season
GM: "Here you go, top 10 draft pick, skilled forward."
Coach X: "But what about the D and face-offs"
GM: "It's called coaching, go get em champ."

End of Season
GM: "Sorry, we're going to have to make a change, we didn't see the improvement we were hoping for..."
Coach X: "But the you didn't make any of the roster changes we discussed."
GM: "Turn in your keys on your way out."

You've been eavesdropping on the process, haven't you?

[doulos]

One thing about Krueger........why would you even suggest getting an associate coach?

That right there says you're in over your head. Someone leading an NHL team should never give off that vibe. You're the "head coach", either step up and be the "head coach", or be an assistant.

No one in that position should be willing to share the reigns if the believe they can do the job.

Most teams have associate coaches don't they?

[Axeman33]

I swear this is the job cycle for an Oiler's head coach lately:

Interview
GM: "So coach, what do you think we need to do here"
Coach X: "Well, you've been giving up too many goals. You're bottom 5 in the league in face-offs. The special teams have been mediocre at best."
Gm: "Go on..."
Coach X: "We need to improve our puck control so that we aren't handing the other team possession so much, maybe tweak the D line a bit and bring in someone to help on the draws"
G: "Sounds good, really like where your head is at. You're hired!"

Start of season
GM: "Here you go, top 10 draft pick, skilled forward."
Coach X: "But what about the D and face-offs"
GM: "It's called coaching, go get em champ."

End of Season
GM: "Sorry, we're going to have to make a change, we didn't see the improvement we were hoping for..."
Coach X: "But the you didn't make any of the roster changes we discussed."
GM: "Turn in your keys on your way out."

LOL! Love this!

[MXHockey]

Most teams have associate coaches don't they?

A grammar blunder on my end.

Was thinking more in the lines of 'associate' suggesting co-coach, rather than assistant coach.

If Krueger wanted more help behind the bench, he should have identified the need and the coach he wanted to bring under "his" umbrealla. To me it sounds like the suggestion was made in a way where he was asking for help, rather than giving off the vibe that he's got it under control.

[Mr. Guru]

To me it sounded like whatever coaches were left in Edmonton were useless and Krueger wanted in better help.

[Call of Doughty]

As Krueger was in Switzerland at home, the "skype job" the oiler's brass gave him doesn't bother me the most. But should they not have made this decision at season's end? The Oil's season ended nearly 6 weeks ago give or take.

Wouldn't have made sense to travel 6+ hours for either Krueger or Oil management to make the firing in little under 6 minutes.

Sounds like they waited to get a hand shake from Dallas first, then sharpen the axe. Little bush league.

[Shake]

Man I am impressed with Eakins presser. He got me motivated to go work out even more!! Seriously though, just a good feeling about this guy and his pedigree. He does not coach " teams" he coaches " individuals". It remains to see what Mac does with roster as a whole but I feel this could be a fantastic hire for the Oilers.

Also liked how he said he reads all the media, etc. Wants to know what his players are reading and how it effects them.

[Zorro]

How many times did MacT say Dallas Eakins was unflappable? I'm pretty sure he said it 3 times in about 10 seconds.. And then Dallas Eakins said his wife "Ingrid" was unflappable aswell.. Ok, so the entire family is unflappable!! Good stuff!!

Hey the Oilers just hired a "unflappable" coach..