Confirmed with Link: Jay Woodcroft and Dave Manson fired - no more Woody during NNN - Kris Knoblauch hired, Coffey as assistant

[Fourier]

Doesn’t feel like Jackson is actually running proper processes and hiring the most qualified person. Feels like hes hiring his friends. It’s basically the definition of nepotism. But unfortunately that’s how the majority of the world works. People are comfortable with the relationships they have built. Time will tell if his decisions actually are good ones. I am skeptical but hope I am wrong.

If this was the off season sure. But at this time of year under pressure your choices are: Promote from within, hire one of the old retreads currently out of a job, or go with a younger guy you know whose team will let him go. You can't just start interviewing a lot of guys who are under contract because most teams are not going to let you have access to anyone they deem valuable at this time of year.

New York was probably willing to allow Knoblauch to go as a favour because they just hired a new coach and he was passed over. It's a risky hire for sure, bit I don't think this was as much of a process issue as Jackson going with a guy he already knew very well.

 

[Zerotonine]

Liked the press conference. Those first 2:16 seconds describe a lot of how we make mistakes

Well spoken for sure. I just don't know how he wheeled a 2 year extension already before coaching a single game

 

[Forgot About Drai]

I thought a lot of us wanted Holland to not make moves. Now you're saying it's a gongshow that Jackson is making moves?


What are you talking about?

What do you mean what am I talking about?

There seems to be two diffent parties in the org? We literally though this was Holland's show until couple days and now its Jeff Jackson show. That screams healthy org? They are literally giving different answers on the same f***ing podium LOL.

True, that's a mess. This is the trouble with failing people upwards and the team always trying to control the optics and narrative of their messed up organizational structure. Just cut ties completely with Lowe, Nicholson, Holland, Schwartz.

I am not mad at the exact moves. If this guys a good hire so be it. But it seems very toxic the way Holland is being edged out, how Coffey is a guy who keeps tabs on coaches/gms for Katz. Just all very messy and not good for a contending team with McDrai in their prime.

 

[oobga]

Katz forcing Coffey to do some work instead of just chilling at the top of the org was maybe the most impressive decision I've seen Katz make as owner since he took over 15 years ago. Could still not actually be a good idea, but still, putting some OBC boys out of their comfort zone a bit is nice to see at least.

 

[McTonyBrar]

You don’t think it appears that he’s hiring his friends or it appears to be nepotism? Seems pretty clear to me.

We won’t know if his decisions are good for awhile. Maybe they are.

It seems clear to you after such a short time span?

All right pack it up.
Why not give him a chance before becoming fully negative?

 

[FlameChampion]

Well spoken for sure. I just don't know how he wheeled a 2 year extension already before coaching a single game

I don’t think they had a choice. He’s not leaving an organization for another one without a guarantee. But it is weird to have a coach under contract when a new GM will be here next year. But Jackson is probably still calling the shots going forward anyway.

 

[T-Funk]

Or they went through a slump.

If thats all it was, I guess thats the risk of a slump. If the coach refuses to try and stop it in a cup expectation year, he may get fired. Jay basically saying he will not hold players acountable for their play.

 

[guymez]

Disagree, Woodcroft and Manson came in as a package deal. They were in synch with coaching philosophy. It's just the same as Tippett and Playfair leaving the building together as well. The fundamental issue is goal prevention and defending.

We don't know if Coffey will airlift into the defense coach role or if Knoblauch tweaks his staff's roles and responsibilities. Fyi, a coaching impact study I posted stated an NHL coach's ability to impact is greatest for goal prevention versus goal creation.

The optics are shitty. However we'll see how things transpire under Knoblauch's direction.

There is another element to this.

We also dont know (but its extremely likely) that Knoblauch had this assistant imposed on him by the owner.

The question will likely never be asked but it should be...was the decision to hire Coffey as an assistant driven by ownership?

I cant remember the last time a new coach was hired and then the owner 'supplied' an assistant to 'help' with the transition.
I appreciate your (less negative) spin on this situation but regardless of which angle you look at this from its extremely suspect and not the type of situation that quality level organizations create.
Mickey Mouse stuff.

 

[Drivesaitl]

What do you mean what am I talking about?

There seems to be two diffent parties in the org? We literally though this was Holland's show until couple days and now its Jeff Jackson show. That screams healthy org? They are literally giving different answers on the same f***ing podium LOL.



I am not mad at the exact moves. If this guys a good hire so be it. But it seems very toxic the way Holland is being edged out, how Coffey is a guy who keeps tabs on coaches/gms for Katz. Just all very messy and not good for a contending team with McDrai in their prime.

Its complicated. jackson is obviously protecting his protege McD. So thus lying about the inputs. Which happens all the time in mitigation and issue management.

Holland for his part actually attempted to tell the truth that the vet players were consulted.

The errant thing is that Jackson didn't meet with holland pre presser to sort out the answers, thats a concern, but in this case ends up being a window for us to see what occurred.

Jackson being here, Connor Brown being here, KK being here now, you can't tell me McD isn't having some input on these hires. of course he is, and in the Connor Brown and Jackson hires it was even stated he had input all along.

Of course Jackson, who is only here because of McD, is going to downplay any suggestion of McD's input. Right?

Still makes it a mess.

 

[Mr Positive]

A two year term for a coach makes sense imo. It takes the contract negotiations off the table in terms of it being a distraction

The salary might be telling too. The 2nd year might not be such a gift to Knoblach if the salary isn't that high

 

[soothsayer]

Katz forcing Coffey to do some work instead of just chilling at the top of the org was maybe the most impressive decision I've seen Katz make as owner since he took over 15 years ago. Could still not actually be a good idea, but still, putting some OBC boys out of their comfort zone a bit is nice to see at least.

The guy has virtually zero coaching experience. I don't mind the Knoblauch hire. But the Coffey hire seems like a total disaster waiting to happen. What a head scratcher.

 

[Tarus]

Guys listen to 32 thoughts. Woodcroft was going to be let go regardless for Kris Knoblauch and that this is Jackson's team. He wanted Knob to be coach eventually. It just happened sooner

That was what I was thinking as well.

People forget what happened the last time the Oilers got a new POHO. Nichols fired Eakins over Mact's head, put a brake on Mact's ability make trades and turning him into a lame duck(Mact wanted to trade Hall as punishment for Eakins failing as a coach), started up the process of hiring a new GM(Before getting distracted when Chiarelli became available) - all within the first 6 months or so of being hired.

New guy is running the franchise, they tend to bring in their own people, especially when they come in thinking the old leadership group wasn't getting the job done. JJ has been on the job 3 or 4 months now, got his preferred coach hired, overhauled scouting, analytics department expanded, and heir apparent GM in Staios punted and a new guy to be installed at the end of the season, Looks like JJ is more hands on too, considering the coaching choice.

 

[FlameChampion]

It seems clear to you after such a short time span?

All right pack it up.
Why not give him a chance before becoming fully negative?

Its a forum board for discussing things. All I am saying is that it doesn’t seem like he’s running proper processes for the people he is hiring. Was Pracey the most qualified director of amateur available? Did they talk to any other available coach? I obviously don’t know.

I already said we won’t know if JJ is making good decisions for some amount of time. I don’t think I am being negative. I am just discussing hockey issues on a forum board. Why are we even on here, if we’re not allowed to speculate. We might as all leave because 99.99% of us don’t know what goes on behind the scenes.

 

[oXo Cube]

Katz forcing Coffey to do some work instead of just chilling at the top of the org was maybe the most impressive decision I've seen Katz make as owner since he took over 15 years ago. Could still not actually be a good idea, but still, putting some OBC boys out of their comfort zone a bit is nice to see at least.

Would be a lot cooler if Katz would instead quit getting his unqualified buddies to interfere in hockey operations from the top down and instead just signed the paychecks.

 

[Frank the Tank]

The guy has virtually zero coaching experience. I don't mind the Knoblauch hire. But the Coffey hire seems like a total disaster waiting to happen. What a head scratcher.

I wonder if Coffey at this stage in his life and career is willing to put in the work required to be an assistant coach. It can be a thankless grind at times. Coffey could rightfully think he's above that with all he's accomplished across his illustrious career, but then don't accept the job.

 

[Oilhawks]

they also have a goaltender

Yup. The mid level additions are mostly window dressing. The Canucks go as Demko goes

 

[brentashton]

There is another element to this.

We also dont know (but its extremely likely) that Knoblauch had this assistant imposed on him by the owner.

The question will likely never be asked but it should be...was the decision to hire Coffey as an assistant driven by ownership?

I cant remember the last time a new coach was hired and then the owner 'supplied' an assistant to 'help' with the transition.
I appreciate your (less negative) spin on this situation but regardless of which angle you look at this from its extremely suspect and not the type of situation that quality level organizations create.
Mickey Mouse stuff.

It was telling in the presser when Knoblauch was asked if the other assistants will have similar or changed responsibilities now that he has come in and before he could even attempt an answer, Holland simply said “yes”, leaving Kris to parrot the same yes answer in response to the question that directed at him, that “his“ other assistants would have the same duties.

The place smells for sure.

 

[guymez]

Katz forcing Coffey to do some work instead of just chilling at the top of the org was maybe the most impressive decision I've seen Katz make as owner since he took over 15 years ago. Could still not actually be a good idea, but still, putting some OBC boys out of their comfort zone a bit is nice to see at least.

Well...they hire Knoblauch as a head coach.....

Jackson says..."oh Kris...by the way...I am supplying an assistant coach for you as well."The owners good friend and advisor Paul Coffey will be on the bench with you". "Just carry on as you normally would Kris."
"Even though Paul doent really want to coach he is only there to help."

"Why arent we letting you pick all your own Assistants or just retaining the entire staff for you?" "Well...you're working for the Oilers now Kris...this is how things work here."
"The team is in trouble and Daryl cant figure out why...so he might need Paul to report back to him."

"Dont worry though...even though Paul will be by your side and reporting directly to Daryl...you just keep reporting to Kenny and me." "Why both of us...well we want to maintain the public illusion that Kenny is running the team but its actually me." "Well..its actually me unless Daryl wants to stick his nose into hockey ops. "Dont say anything about that though...lets just say its me and let the team , the fans and the media think that its Kenny."
"Paul may or may not use his direct conduit back to Daryl but you dont need to worry about that."

"Good luck Kris and welcome to the Oilers!"

 

[ohheyhemsky]

Consciously, this is the least interested I've ever been in the Oilers in my entire life. Don't really know why, we have a good team. Bad start to the year and whatever, but a weird time to distance my energy and thought to the team considering the level of hockey this team has played over the last 5 years.

But, it's almost shocking how often this organization makes the objectively incorrect decision, time after f***ing time.

Tuning in tonight to see what the first game looks like under a coach with zero NHL head coach experience and mediocre numbers at best within the pro levels, but not expecting much.

 

[DavidHasselhoffsFist]

Do we get f***ed out of a draft pick for this?

 

[brentashton]

Well...they hire Knoblauch as a head coach.....

Jackson says..."oh Kris...by the way...I am supplying an assistant coach for you as well."The owners good friend and advisor Paul Coffey will be on the bench with you". "Just carry on as you normally would Kris."
"Paul is only there to help."

"Why arent we letting you pick all your own Assistants or just retaining the entire staff for you?" "Well...you're working for the Oilers now Kris...this is how things work here."
"The team is in trouble and Daryl cant figure out why...so he might need Paul to report back to him."

"Dont worry though...even though Paul will be by your side and reporting directly to Daryl...you just keep reporting to Kenny and me." "Why both of us...well we want to maintain the public illusion that Kenny is running the team but its actually me." "Well..its actually me unless Daryl wants to stick his nose into hockey ops. "Dont say anything about that though...lets just say its me and let the team , the fans and the media think that its Kenny."
"Paul may or may not use his direct conduit back to Daryl but you dont need to worry about that."

"Good luck Kris and welcome to the Oilers!"

Nailed it.

including the “good luck Kris” part

 

[guymez]

Nailed it.

including the “good luck Kris” part

Im glad that I am not the only one that thinks this is ridiculous.

 

[T-Funk]

Do we get f***ed out of a draft pick for this?

Haha they got rid of that rule the moment it screwed only the Oilers. We are safe as long as we stop trading with Calgary.

 

[brentashton]

Im glad that I am not the only one that thinks this is ridiculous.

Beyond ridiculous.

I actually thought moving away from Nicholson to Jackson signalled the end of the OBC Era with the Oilers.

Little did I expect that they simply changed the rules that you no longer have to be retired to be a carded member of the OBC. Conner definitely has the membership card and Jackson now, it seems, may just be another hire in the long running episode.

And having the SA to the Owner (another OBC emeritus) sitting in the coaches room and on the bench for games? f*** me silly.

i’d love to be proven wrong, but I’ve seen this movie play out before here in Oil Country. Too many times.

 

[Frank the Tank]

Would be a lot cooler if Katz would instead quit getting his unqualified buddies to interfere in hockey operations from the top down and instead just signed the paychecks.

Billionaires often got to their lofty perch by thinking they are the smartest person in the room. Whether they are right or wrong in their belief, they have a lot of business experiences that reinforce it. Asking them to sit back and let the professionals handle it can be easier said than done.