Oilers on Verge of Repeating Jarry Mistake with Head Coaching Hire

If the Edmonton Oilers rush their decision to hire a new head coach because the one they really want to interview isn’t being made available, this screams Tristan Jarry 2.0. What I mean by that is the Oilers hurried into a goaltender trade when it became clear the options were limited. Stan Bowman made a bad deal, picked up a goaltender with a questionable track record and who didn’t perform to the level of their expectations hopes. They’re now stuck with the player.

The Oilers want to interview Bruce Cassidy. However, the most recent reports suggest he won’t be made available for an interview, and some sources, including Pierre LeBrun, believe he may never be. He writes, “It’s a frustrating situation, to be sure. The Oilers and Kings both want to chat with him. I can’t imagine the Maple Leafs wouldn’t. …The NHL’s perspective is that Vegas is within its contractual rights to do what it’s doing with Cassidy and that it’s in line with established league policy.” NHL insider Chris Johnston also reported that, ultimately, it just feels like the Golden Knights are not gonna hand Bruce Cassidy over for next season to Edmonton…”

So then what? If the Oilers don’t get the chance to interview their guy, do they move on to Plan B? They’ve already interviewed Craig Berube. It’s unclear whether they’ve spoken with Peter Laviolette (who seems to have his sights set on the Toronto job). As for other Stanley Cup-winning coaches, there aren’t many around who haven’t been out of the league.

The Oilers will start to feel the pinch. They fired Kris Knoblauch (perhaps prematurely), in part because word of their desire to speak with Cassidy leaked. It made the situation with Knoblauch untenable, and Edmonton made the call to relieve him of his duties before his new contract kicked in. They’ll need to find someone.

Will the Oilers Simply Grab a New Coach Out of Necessity?

Like they seemed to do when they ran out of goaltending options and it felt like Stuart Skinner had to go, the Oilers and GM Stan Bowman rushed a deal. They traded for Tristan Jarry and his full salary, moving Skinner and Brett Kulak, just to make a move. Bowman said he liked Jarry’s game and they’d be watching him for a while, but that felt like window dressing. It was putting lipstick on a pig of a trade because the Oilers had painted themselves into a corner.

Just a few months later, they’re already looking at the mess they made, admitting the deal didn’t work out as they’d hoped.

This is not a mistake the Oilers can repeat. If they want Cassidy, but can’t have him, the next move can’t be just to hire a coach because he’s available. If you interview Berube and don’t like what you hear, do not proceed. If Laviolette’s heart isn’t in Edmonton, don’t go there. Any rumors about Mike Babcock and giving second chances? Forget it. Stay away…

This is a critical decision that impacts not only next season but also seasons after, as another bad campaign could shift how Connor McDavid feels about the team. If the Oilers aren’t competitive, free agents will go back to ignoring the franchise.

It may turn out that Cassidy isn’t the guy. What the Oilers can’t do is throw their hands in the air and hire a guy just because. That’s how the Jarry trade felt, and we all know how that worked out.

Next: NHL Trade Talk Recap: Canucks, Oilers, Maple Leafs & Lost Season?