Following the slow motion car crash that was the Edmonton Oilers loss to the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek discussed what’s going on in Edmonton on the latest 32 Thoughts Podcast. There were a ton of bombshells on the Oilers; here’s what they talked about.
The Hockey Gods are not in line with Edmonton right now
Last night’s game was viewed by hockey fans across the league for the intrigue alone. Friedman talked about how shocking it was to see the Oilers struggle all night long, and how unexpected this whole first month of the season has been.
I was in shock watching that game. The San Jose Sharks won their first game on Tuesday night, and 48 hours later they are tied in the standings with the Edmonton Oilers. Nobody thought Edmonton would be in this position this year. The hockey gods are not in line with Edmonton right now
That is a team that is waiting for something to happen. You can tell it, you can see it, and they are going to force the hand of the organization to do something.
Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts the Podcast
Will the Oilers make a coaching change?
There are several options for the Oilers floating around right now. All over the media, there are calls for a head coaching change, a general manager change, a big trade, benching, you name it. All options are on the table and all should be explored.
Firing head coach Jay Woodcroft is gaining traction with several major MSM outlets publishing columns about his future following last night’s loss. However, Friedman says that the Oilers are aware of his efforts behind the bench so far, though they might not have a choice.
Woodcroft has the best winning percentage coming into this season in Oilers history. He’s only coached one full season and they don’t want to make the change, but if this keeps going you’re going to be forced into a position to do something. I think the Oilers are in that position now. Everybody watching this know something is going to happen.
Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts the Podcast
Is there help coming in goal?
Next in the firing line is the tandem between the pipes. With an abysmal record so far, something has to give in net and apparently something is brewing behind the scenes.
There are people in the league who believed the oilers were on the precipice of a big move on Wednesday. I don’t know what happened, I don’t know where it is, but I had people saying to me “watch the Oilers in goal. They’re up to something.” And they weren’t talking about Campbell. Something significant.
[The Oilers are] actively at work trying to make something happen. Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts the Podcast
Could something be happening involving a big goalie trade? The Oilers were successful in sending Campbell down to the AHL, but his cap hit is still too high to ignore and there is no guarantee he will find his game again.
Campbell had a meeting before he was sent down with Holland. The goal is for you to go down to the American Hockey League, find your game, and come back up. Whether or not the Oilers think that, that’s the right message to send him.
Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts the Podcast
Ken Holland’s future is up in the air
And, of course, the other elephant in the room is the General Manager. Friedman and Marek discussed how it is widely believed that Holland is in his last year as GM and won’t be coming back. Perhaps the organization’s outlook will change in an accelerated fashion.
Ken Holland was prepared to give up futures, first round picks and prospects. There is no point giving up futures to get to the middle.
Jeff Marek on 32 Thoughts the Podcast
If Holland is potentially done after this year anyway, could this slow start fast track fundamental changes?
This is widely believed to be Ken Holland’s final year as GM. Instead of him putting the finishing touches on a Stanley Cup team, is it a completely new philosophical decision and what does that mean for holland? do you leave him in charge and say ken, let’s set ourselves up for the future or take serious hard looks, or do you start looking at the succession plan?
Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts the Podcast
McDavid is hurt, Ekholm could be as well
There’s no secret that McDavid isn’t playing at the highest level he can right now. It is widely speculated that he is playing injured and rushed himself back to play in the Heritage Classic, but this could be a big problem if the injury is not as minor as the Oilers are making it out to be.
McDavid is far from 100%, and at some point they’ll need to make a decision here. They’re never going to say Connor, you’re not playing. He would throw them out the window. But the Oilers are thinking, “thank God we have time before the deadline. We might need to come up with a completely new plan, vision, for where we are.”
Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts the Podcast
Marek then commented on how Mattias Ekholm also looks nowhere close to where he was down the stretch last year, and as a key part of the Oilers’ blueline and overall defensive strategy, this is a massive blow to the roster.
Brace yourselves
All signs point to something big happening soon. If Friedman is talking about it, and Spector is talking about it, and Frank Seravalli is talking about it, there is definitely something there.
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire, and the Oilers are definitely on fire right now.
McDavid has a rib injury. That is why he can’t shoot like he normally does. These things hurt for a long time. I’ve been there.
There’s a LOT wrong with the Oilers.
McDavid is playing hurt as is Ekholm – Like it or not BOTH should be on injury reserve for TWO WEEKS so they can actually recover.
Goaltenders have been really bad and it is NOT all their fault! I am a big believer in Jack and he needs to play at least four games in a row to get in a grove. Stew has too much pressure on him after his rookie season. He is supposed to be the back up and he just isn’t right either at this point I would have him in Bakersfield also.
Defense…so many mistakes and each one ends up in the net.
Offense… So this is what the Oilers REALLY look like when there’s no 97 & 29 to bail them out. Preview of 2026!
Coaching: I really like Jay. Problem is he has FAVORITES & He DEFINITELY FAVORED STEW over JACK in the Playoffs against Vegas AND that was his HUGH MISTAKE!
GM: I believe Ken did his best
The whole NHL is different this year, other than Vegas AND Boston, the rest of the teams are a total mix, which is good!
WHAT DO YOU DO IN EDMONTON:
1: Fire Jay – you can NOT lose to San Jose and keep your job!
2: Hire Bruce or Joel (if he has truly learned his lesson)
3: Get a NEW GOALIE COACH – I don’t say this lightly but When you have had as many Goaltenders look as aweful in the last 12 years, something else NEEDS to be changed – Cam Talbot looks like the guy who the NYR had before coming over to the Bermuda Triangle for Goalies. He looks great playing in LA!
4: Move the dead weight – the players who have zero points – the players who can not find the net – the players who keep making the bonehead turnovers
5: Media stop asking the same questions expecting a different answer. All the players know they suck so give them a night with no questions – then they know they really are in trouble 😵💫!
Final thought: Oilers could still make the playoffs and get to the Stanley Cup Finals – just ask the Panthers!
The Oilers were never going to win the cup with a team built like the current edition. All the past great teams have depth scoring from their bottom six; the Oilers on the other hand are basically a two line team and if the big guns are injured, the Oil cannot out score their mistakes.
The problems with the Oil starts at the top. The management is greatly lacking in many key departments, specifically they need a crack scouting department for the draft and talent evaluation for trades. They also have poor player development department. When was the last time a non first round player drafted by the soil made the big club. Look at the Lightening model: draft really well to stock your lineup with cheaper and younger homegrown talent without spending on overpriced free agents. If you do sign a free agent to a big contract, better do your due diligence otherwise you end up with a dud like Campbell.
As well, the Oil are not coached well with either poor structure and defensive organization. How can they keep the same way and get scored on with no accountability?
their development sucks for sure – but there are 3 non 1st rounders – Skinner, Desharnais, and McLeod on the roster. Goalie coach needs to go for sure!