The Edmonton Oilers are currently dead-focused on trying to secure home-ice advantage for the 2025 Stanley Cup, but it’s never too early to start thinking about the future.
According to multiple reports, the Oilers are considering a change behind their bench this summer by bringing in longtime NHL Coach John Tortorella. Recently fired by the Philadelphia Flyers, Tortorella looks to return to coaching in Canada for the first time since he appeared behind the bench in Vancouver for one season.
Is this the right move? Let’s take a look:
Tortorella is in total control
The Oilers have had a turbulent coaching carousel over the last few seasons. From Todd McLellan to Ken Hitchcock, Dave Tippett, Jay Woodcroft, and now Kris Knoblauch, the only thing that makes more sense than adding Tortorella into the mix is to change up the head coach yet again.
NHL Insider Fronk Seravalli was the first to report on the potential coaching change:
“When you look at the Edmonton Oilers, the first thing you notice is that they are just simply not tough enough. Tortorella instantly changes that. Forget the days of Connor McDavid rushes, Leon Draisaitl one-timers, and overall good vibes. The team is going to play physical first, defense second, and maybe a bit of offense third. McDavid and Draisaitl are much better off as third line checking players than NHL superstars.”
Despite the team making a run within one game of the Stanley Cup last year, it’s clear that the team needs to get older and slower to fit Tortorella’s mold. We reached out to General Manager Stan Bowman on the topic for comment and were provided with the following statement:
“After being hired last summer it was clear I needed to continue creating an environment so toxic it just made logical sense to want to add a coach of Tortorella’s caliber to the mix.”
The move comes at a perfect time as the team looks to negotiate McDavid’s new deal.
As for Kris Knoblauch, the plan is for the team to retain his services as Assistant to the Head Coach.
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Happy April Fool’s!
Photo credit: Credit: Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer
Maybe this April Fools joke will become a reality. Tortorella would be leaps and bounds better than Knobhead. Knobhead is better suited for the minor leagues.
We don’t need him!