The Edmonton Oilers have the well-deserved reputation for having the perpetual status of being “Next Year’s Team.” The ridiculous saga of the Oilers has reached the point of no return for fans who continue to sell out Rexall Place to watch last place hockey. The franchise that has been the run into the ground by a good old boys leadership structure that has an unrivaled level of incompetence.
Edmonton won just six out of its first 26 games this season and was a virtual guarantee at missing the playoffs for the tenth straight year. Despite having the advantage of drafting high for the past decade the Oilers have nothing to show for their efforts. Fans are already sporting Connor McDavid sweaters in anticipation of the June 2015 draft as McDavid is considered to be the top prospect.
MacTavish’s “Pissed Off” Presser
Edmonton general manager Craig MacTavish is among the former Oiler players from their Gretzky era Glory Days that now serves in the team’s management. MacTavish called a press conference last week in which he admitted up front that the presser would satisfy no one. He could not have been more correct.
During the 30 minute rambling press conference MacTavish stated that he was “pissed off” and that “nobody lives it more than me.”
MacTavish did himself and the team a disservice as he refused to take ownership for the woes of the Oilers. He instead seemed to be in full defense mode. Implied during the presser was that he inherited a mess and that it would take time and patience to fix the team. MacTavish also had a strong critique of the team for its lack of execution, turnovers, and poor on ice decisions.
Humbling Reality Check
MacTavish sounds a lot different now than when he did upon taking the Oilers GM job a year and a half ago. Back then he boasted about making aggressive moves to get the team back into the playoffs. He has since learned the actual realities of dealing with the NHL salary cap and a new era of competitive balance. In fact, MacTavish whined about how difficult it has been for him to try and obtain quality defensemen for his team. NHL trading partners know that they have the upper hand in dealing with the desperate Oilers and are demanding a premium price for blue line help.
More of the Same Message
If there is one thing that the Oilers are consistent about it is the message to their fans for time and patience. It is a message that has run thin and hollow. Yet, Edmonton continues support the Oilers despite the losing and incompetence of team management.
Edmonton has long been touted as a team of the future that is loaded with young front line talent. The big problem is that they lack quality blue liners and a physical presence in front of their own net. The Oilers ranked 29th in the NHL for goals against which is nothing new. What has shocked NHL observers is that Edmonton ranked 27th in the league for goal scoring and 26th for power play efficiency. For a team that boasts about its plethora of offensive talent that is a stinging indictment.
A New Lowe
Team President Kevin Lowe is another member of the former player’s clique that defines the Oilers team culture. Lowe has overseen the demise of the franchise since being named President in 2008 after serving as general manager. He has lost all credibility as a team executive but is fortunate to be employed by an owner in Daryl Katz who worships the Gretzky era Oiler players as a fan and does not act as an owner addressing the needs of today.
Rogers Place will Need More
Edmonton will be moving into the new state of the art Rogers Place in 2016-17 and will need to be a contender by that time. It is unrealistic to expect fans to pay top dollar for premium seating and suites for a product that is so poor and continues to miss the playoffs.
Karma
Edmonton scalped, or make that Skyped, head coach Ralph Krueger following the 2013 season despite Krueger leading them to their best winning percentage since 2009. MacTavish fired Krueger by Skype in a classless move that has proven to have generated a negative vibe ever since.
