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

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

A 10 game sample size isn’t enough. The coach’s worth will be decided in May if we get that far.

 

[TopShelfGloveSide]

A 10 game sample size isn’t enough. The coach’s worth will be decided in May if we get that far.

But a 10 game sample size was enough for you to write off the season.

(I agree though.)

 

[Drivesaitl]

How are we feeling about the coaching changes hf oil?
ignoring the fact that we had some unhealthy players to start the year. Who has been the better coach?

Same as I did November 12 when I said the following. (page 51 if people want to confirm notes"


Coffey being here on the bench helps almost the way Duncan Keith and Mike Smith being on the bench helped. An intelligent sage who has seen it all and won cups with different club. If the Flames managed to hire this guy the board would implode. Coffey was the best Defenseman of his era, indisputably.

Even when Huddy was hired outside the org people complained about it. These are solid hockey guys.

 

[TopShelfGloveSide]

Same as I did November 12 when I said the following. (page 51 if people want to confirm notes"


Coffey being here on the bench helps almost the way Duncan Keith and Mike Smith being on the bench helped. An intelligent sage who has seen it all and won cups with different club. If the Flames managed to hire this guy the board would implode. Coffey was the best Defenseman of his era, indisputably.

Even when Huddy was hired outside the org people complained about it. These are solid hockey guys.

“he’s just a car salesman.”

Turns out one of the best players of all time knows what he is talking about.

 

[ConnorNova0929]

How are we feeling about the coaching changes hf oil?
ignoring the fact that we had some unhealthy players to start the year. Who has been the better coach?

Apparently Mark Stuart has been handling the PK coaching since Manson was let go. I think that's one of the underrated changes that has made a huge difference in the last couple of weeks. Usually a PK brought dread of an impending goal but they've really strengthened that area of the game.

Otherwise, the defensive scheme is basically the same as what Woody/Manson were implementing to start the year but now the players are executing it. I don't know if that's the new coaches or if the coaching change shocked the team into actually paying attention to where they are supposed to be. I'm guessing it's a bit of both.

 

[ConnorNova0929]

“he’s just a car salesman.”

Turns out one of the best players of all time knows what he is talking about.

There's a difference between knowing what you're talking about and being able to coach players that knowledge. From all accounts Coffey seems to be a good communicator (probably being a car salesman helped lol).

As a comparison, Gretzky was one of the smartest players of all time but that didn't translate into being a good coach. Maybe he should have tried to hustle a few Ford Focus' before trying coaching.

 

[TopShelfGloveSide]

There's a difference between knowing what you're talking about and being able to coach players that knowledge. From all accounts Coffey seems to be a good communicator (probably being a car salesman helped lol).

As a comparison, Gretzky was one of the smartest players of all time but that didn't translate into being a good coach. Maybe he should have tried to hustle a few Ford Focus' before trying coaching.

Yeah the Gretzky thing gets brought up every time. I don’t think every GOAT player has the personality to be coach / manager but the ones that do I think are gold to an organization.

 

[joestevens29]

Biggest thing for me that we might not see for awhile is how does Knoblauch adjust.

Seems we've been through a lot of coaches that get stuck in their ways and don't make adjustments when teams are out scouting us. Going to be big come playoff time when teams spend a ton of time scouting going into a series. Sure you don't want to throw your gameplan out the window too quickly, but in game adjustments will be something to watch going forward.

 

[Drivesaitl]

“he’s just a car salesman.”

Turns out one of the best players of all time knows what he is talking about.

Threre was a lot in the thread that was throwing shade on Coffey. People confused old boys club with Coffey not remembering Coffey was and is his own man and even left the club, and was great anywhere he went. Coffey was going to be a superstar wherever he played.

 

[TopShelfGloveSide]

Threre was a lot in the thread that was throwing shade on Coffey. People confused old boys club with Coffey not remembering Coffey was and is his own man and even left the club, and was great anywhere he went. Coffey was going to be a superstar wherever he played.

Yeah the Coffey slander was just sad.

 

[Drivesaitl]

There's a difference between knowing what you're talking about and being able to coach players that knowledge. From all accounts Coffey seems to be a good communicator (probably being a car salesman helped lol).

As a comparison, Gretzky was one of the smartest players of all time but that didn't translate into being a good coach. Maybe he should have tried to hustle a few Ford Focus' before trying coaching.

Digging deeper into it Wayne Gretzky and Kevin Lowe as example are not scholastic or smart people. That they had hiccups in their transition to management is not entirely a surprise. IQ required to learn new skills confidently and be effective in new roles.

By and large Mess and Coffey, along with Kurri and Huddy were among the smartest players on that club. All could use their hockey intelligence, their general intelligence to learn new roles and communicate effectively with others.

Give you a contrast. I LOVED Glenn Anderson as a player but he didn't have people skills and he never had them. he's an iconoclast, he's not going to be the best communicating with younger players and indeed he was a disaster in that here in 96.

But Coffey, Mess, Huddy, they are great communicators. Articulate, well spoken. Such individuals can often communicate useful things to others and may even have learned which types of communications are helpful vs not.

The main point is people were putting all the old boys in one box and thats probably unfair. Some of them can bring value to the table.

 

[elmeroil]

I was never sold on Woodcroft but liked him more than Tip. I wasn't super excited about another former Oiler coach and Knob seemed like an odd hire but so far so good. The D look revived under Coffey and the bottom 6 look reborn under Knob. Combine that with a healthy McDavid and they look dangerous!

It's a weird situation being 6 games out of a playoff spot but back to feeling like they could contend for the cup but I like it!

 

[MoontoScott]

I was against hiring Coffey as an assistant but so far I am dead wrong ---and loving it.

 

[Drivesaitl]

I was never sold on Woodcroft but liked him more than Tip. I wasn't super excited about another former Oiler coach and Knob seemed like an odd hire but so far so good. The D look revived under Coffey and the bottom 6 look reborn under Knob. Combine that with a healthy McDavid and they look dangerous!

It's a weird situation being 6 games out of a playoff spot but back to feeling like they could contend for the cup but I like it!

But we're not 6 games out of a spot. 6pts and with games on hand on some clubs.

Seattle, Calgary dropping right out. Bottoms falling out. They're not even going to be there. STL and Arizona are currently occupying WC spots with Nashville hot on heels. The read I have on STL and Nashville is both are streaky clubs that can either be good or terrible at different times. I could see drop off in either. Arizona I just don't have a read on.

I do still think the Nucks will fallback somewhat. Its not out of consideration that Nucks could drop off to a WC spot and the third spot in division open. WE're not catching either Vegas or Kings.

 

[K1984]

“he’s just a car salesman.”

Turns out one of the best players of all time knows what he is talking about.

On principle only, I would prefer that the OBC is kept away from the team, but having said that the way so many reflexively started slagging him or mocking him the moment the position was announced pissed me off to be frank. Twitter mob mentality at its worst.

If nothing else, the guy was the best defenseman we have ever had and clearly cares about the team. He doesn't have to be in Edmonton around the team in the winter, he has enough money to hang out by the pool in Scottsdale, but he doesn't. All of that alone is deserving of some respect.

Nothing wrong with having the opinion that he shouldn't be behind the bench, but the mocking, the "used car salesman" BS, the bullshit coming out of Edmonton Sports Talk ("he only showed clips of the 80's Oilers PP when he was in Arizona"), was way over the top and can only really be characterized as disrespectful.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

But a 10 game sample size was enough for you to write off the season.

(I agree though.)

The team needs to reach the WCF for what I would deem to be a successful season. They’re looking better for sure but maintaining good habits well into the playoffs is key.

The one thing I want to see is how the coach handles a “poor team” matchup as the Oilers have a habit of looking past their opponents.

 

[FlameChampion]

One thing that was interesting about KK’s presser is him mentioning that he went back and watched Foegeles points and noticed he’s scored more on off wing.

I mean KK has probably been busy just getting acclimated to the NHL. But he’s found time to try and try and help a depth guy. That’s nice to see that he wants to get the ENTIRE team going.

 

[Dradavich]

It's quite obvious to me this was the right move, Even when things were going well for Edmonton a season ago the team often had issues with slow starts and holding down leads. this would often be masked by high end talent bailing the team out. It started with the first game last season, oilers went down 3 - 0 and then cameback, I think about that game against Columbus were they went down 4 - 0, high end talent got it tied back 4 - 4 and yet they still managed to lose. Woodcroft was an upgrade from Tippet for sure but KK is so much better, the team is coming out to play right of the gate most nights and most importantly are playing like a team.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

Was also a strong advocate, enthusiastic, and open minded about the Coffey hire. Glad to see this team respond to the new coaching staff, recommit to their defending effort, structure, discipline and systems. Props to Mark Stuart who's overseeing a renewed penalty kill which has been a crushing weakness for several years.

This is a team of extremes. Very high high's and very low low's. Woodcroft onboarded a team in a deep trough with extended time without its #1 goaltender and advance metrics that suggested the snake bitten team would soon begin scoring to a more normalized rate. And that a return of a healthy Mike Smith would help their goal prevention. Similarly Woodrow was the next guy to walk the plank on this team's tendency to roller coaster inconsistencies. In between the Tippett and Woodcroft valleys this team found itself with consistent play, a significant personnel upgrade in Ekholm, to be able to compete and beat elite competition.

The big mountain remaining is to beat the super elite contenders over seven game series. To do so will require this team to conquer its coach killing extended valleys by maturing its game with consistent high motor play, mature, consistent, structured, and disciplined play in all zones, in particular in front of a still young, developing goaltender. Knoblauch seems a good fit with his persona to boil this game down to simple essence; calm and concise communication abilities; and together with his coaching staff to teach this team to work towards conquering the last mountain peak through consistent, structured play, work rate, mature game, and commitment to 200 feet of ice.

Coaching is a conduit through which to guide this team to harness and manifest its potential. The players on-ice by talent, discipline, and work rate will ultimately determine their fate.

 

[Mr Kot]

“he’s just a car salesman.”

Turns out one of the best players of all time knows what he is talking about.

Not sure why that was even a slight against him. We seen with other player-coaches that, what they do in the retirement, means nothing. Gretzky was the greatest player ever and he sucked as a coach. Coffey was one of the ebst D ever and he seems great so far.

Also, takes a certain talent and charisma to sell cars, probably something this team hasn't had in some time.

 

[Jumptheshark]

Before I pop any bubbly I will wait to see where we are in the standings on Jan 1st

 

[Stoneman89]

I think one of the trepidations some people had with the Coffey hiring, is that so many times, the great players don't translate into great coaches or GMs. When these guys played, they went with their instincts and God given ability and relied on that a lot. Unlike the slugs who had to study the game and find out where everyone fit to just survive. Then, they used the same thought process to think for 23 other guys on the roster and put together a team. If Coffey is truly able to guide each player individually according to their talents and skill level, that's really good on him, but unusual, from what I've seen.

Before I pop any bubbly I will wait to see where we are in the standings on Jan 1st

I shall be popping bubby regardless.

 

[elmeroil]

But we're not 6 games out of a spot. 6pts and with games on hand on some clubs.

Seattle, Calgary dropping right out. Bottoms falling out. They're not even going to be there. STL and Arizona are currently occupying WC spots with Nashville hot on heels. The read I have on STL and Nashville is both are streaky clubs that can either be good or terrible at different times. I could see drop off in either. Arizona I just don't have a read on.

I do still think the Nucks will fallback somewhat. Its not out of consideration that Nucks could drop off to a WC spot and the third spot in division open. WE're not catching either Vegas or Kings.

I get that but they still need to win those games.

 

[KCC]

Knobauch and Coffey have been quite good. I'm a little surprised has much the team has tightened things up as the games have gone on and of course Skinner has been great the last bunch of games (minus Vegas) so that will need to continue. Because you can play the best defense and have great offense all you want but if the goaltender can't stop a beach ball you aren't winning any cup. lol

 

[Jumptheshark]

I think one of the trepidations some people had with the Coffey hiring, is that so many times, the great players don't translate into great coaches or GMs. When these guys played, they went with their instincts and God given ability and relied on that a lot. Unlike the slugs who had to study the game and find out where everyone fit to just survive. Then, they used the same thought process to think for 23 other guys on the roster and put together a team. If Coffey is truly able to guide each player individually according to their talents and skill level, that's really good on him, but unusual, from what I've seen.


I shall be popping bubby regardless.

5 game winning streak and we jumped one team and gained only 2 pts on the wild