Connect with us

Edmonton Oilers

Oilers Will Wait To Remove Interim Coaching Tag Jay Woodcroft’s Name

The Edmonton Oilers might choose to make Jay Woodcroft the full-time head coach, but they’ll make that decision at the end of the season.

As per Elliotte Friedman, it sounds like the Edmonton Oilers are still trying to determine the best course of action when it comes to their head coaching position for next season. Friedman writes, “Holland said his plan remains to figure out Jay Woodcroft’s future at the end of the season. The interim coach needs a new contract. The Oilers are 14-7-2 under him.” — now actually 15-7-2 after a shootout win versus the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday evening.

Related: Oilers Need to Start Thinking About Draisaitl and McDavid Extensions Now

If the Oilers make the postseason and put a competitive team on the ice, it’s hard to imagine Woodcroft doesn’t get a longer run with the team. Outside of a couple of blips, Edmonton has been a much more competitive team with him behind the bench and they’ve bought into a different style of player under the former Bakersfield bench boss who has spent a very long time trying to work his way into the NHL as a head coach. He’s not afraid to play his stars, but he’s not afraid to give younger guys a shot to prove they have the ability to contribute.

Jay Woodcroft Oilers head coach

Woodcroft’s work with the Oilers is getting noticed. Even former coach (Now Kings head coach) Todd McLellan said before the game on Wednesday, “I think Jay (Woodcroft) has done an incredible job of getting the whole group to buy in.” That’s the key for an Oilers team that has incredible skill, but sometimes includes players who play one way, individually producing big results but not always getting to the finish line as a unit. This is also a coach, who before Holland removed Dave Tippett and brought Woodcroft in, was getting some attention from other teams.

The Oilers will understandably wait, but all signs point to a new deal getting done and Woodcroft getting the gig as the coach going forward on a full-time basis.

Next: Maple Leafs’ Player Moves Before Tonight’s Game Against the Jets

1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. Pingback: 3 Teams That Could Look Into Trading for Patrick Kane This Offseason

Leave a Reply

More News

Discover more from NHL Trade Talk

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading