Very good and fair blog on the Oiler coaching transition.

I think it would be a mistake to go the route that puts everything on the shoulders of the kids. I understand the trial by fire approach but there are lots of instances where it does not seem to work (Islanders). A young team needs a veteran presence. Guys who can look out for the kids on and off the ice. I would, for example, think a guy like Andy Sutton brings a presence on and off the ice and in the dressing room that is entirely supportive of the kids. Konopka is a UFA, knows how to win face offs, kills penalties and does everything you would expect of a team mate.

You also need a veteran presence of guys who know how to win and, at the same time, still have the skill to make and push the kids to be better. Probably the best player acquisition of last year was the Panthers getting Brian Campbell. His presence turned around a pathetic offense and the Panthers started to score goals when they needed them and found a way to protect leads and stay in close games.

The Oil desperately need a Brian Campbell type player. The guy who knows how to play #1 Dman for the high powered kids and slow them down when necessary to protect a lead. If San Jose decides to rebuild the Oilers should be first in line with a reasonable offer for Dan Boyle.

Well he's already proven he's much more then just a bottom pairing dman.

I agree for the most part though. He plays a solid all around game, just unspectacular. The only reason he's as well known as he is is because he's a Leafs first rounder.
- mochoson

I would pass on trading Yak for Schenn or Bogo. The way I look at it is, not taking into where they were drafted and age, if you look at where their game is at today I would rather aquire Matt Greene to be on the Oilers D line. He plays his game well, can make big hits can block shots and is good defensively to me he is ahead of Schenn and Bogo in all these categories plus he adds a good veteran presence to a young team. So with that in mind would I trade the 1st overall, Yakapov, for Matt Greene... Hell No!!! so why would I make that trade for Schenn or Bogo? You don't make that trade hoping these guys will elevate their game way beyond what we have seen from them thus far, why? because of where they were drafted? Just because they were drafted there doesn't mean they should of been. I am not saying that Schenn or Bogo aren't going to become better players but that could still take a couple more years. The Oilers need improvements on the D line now, they would be better off keeping Yakapov and letting him develop as a player and show off what he can do and make a trade after then right now.

I blame the schools
- mochoson

Well played sir. Nice to see someone who backs up their opinions with coherent thought. It must be mind numbingly frustrating for you however when you are writing concise paragraphs and they are responded to by one or two sentences using big words like "he sucks"

I wonder if the Oilers could convince Dale Hunter to give it a try, given they're such a young team.

How about Paul Maurice?

I wonder if the Oilers could convince Dale Hunter to give it a try, given they're such a young team.
- Desert_Dog

I gotta think he stepped down as head coach of the Caps because he no longer wishes to coach in the NHL at this time. Still he did a hell of a job with the caps this post season, but we need a coach that will get us there first.

While the Oil have been tight lipped over the whole coaching thing, they have not fooled anyone. It was no secret that Renney was not coming back, it is no secret that they want Sutter to step in. I thought I heard recently that Kreuger was not coming back next year, and wonder if Nelson may step up to take his place. So the coaching staff will be Sutter, Nelson and Buchberger.

Now obviously with the Barons still playing there is no news and I expect none until hockey is done for the year, but bringin in Sutter on a 3 year deal and promoting Nelson to coach under Sutter will:

a) transition Nelson to the HC job in the future.
b) help transition players from the AHL to the NHL

What about a massive deal with Anaheim?

Think Getzlaf/Perry/Ryan (one of the big three) and Fowler for the 1st, Pajaarvi or Hartikainen, some combo of picks or non roster prospects.

Not likely but worth a thought.

I gotta think he stepped down as head coach of the Caps because he no longer wishes to coach in the NHL at this time. Still he did a hell of a job with the caps this post season, but we need a coach that will get us there first.
- ruttager17

My initial reaction to his quitting was that he just does not want to deal with the sh!t show that is their locker room. He probably feel that there are better, less stressful bullsh!t to deal with than some of the players on that team.

If it wasn't for Holtby they would not have made it out of the 1st round.

No matter what lineup the Oilers ice, they are more than likely looking at another lottery pick. That is unless Hall, Ebs, and RNH, literally turn into Messier, Gretzky and Kurri. But still they'll each need to put up 100+ points to bail out the blueline and the circus that is the Oilers defensive zone play.

Also, Schenn is an immediate upgrade over anyone on the Oilers defense. Except Shultz and a healthy Whitney.
- Ben37

By lottery if you mean not in the playoffs, I agree with you. I think it's fair to expect that this team can get 80+ points/not be eliminated by the first of March.

As for Schenn, he's on par with Smid in terms of potential. And if he plays anything like last year, he'd sit behind Schultz, Smid, maybe Petry and a healthy Whitney. If he plays to the best of his ability, well then we've got 3 identical dmen. Four if the price of acquiring him is trading down and picking Reinhart.

Schenn would be nice, but not at the cost of Yakupov.

What about a massive deal with Anaheim?

Think Getzlaf/Perry/Ryan (one of the big three) and Fowler for the 1st, Pajaarvi or Hartikainen, some combo of picks or non roster prospects.

Not likely but worth a thought.
- oilergasm

To get one of those players (I pick Getzlaf to be our big center) and Fowler, I think the cost will be too extreme.

I do not think that the Ducks are in a rebuild considering they resigned Koivu and are trying to keep Selanne for another year. Trading two major pieces of their team for a pile of prospects and picks would not be conducive to winning.

How about Paul Maurice?
- andymaury

My initial reaction to his quitting was that he just does not want to deal with the sh!t show that is their locker room. He probably feel that there are better, less stressful bullsh!t to deal with than some of the players on that team.

If it wasn't for Holtby they would not have made it out of the 1st round.
- OilHorse

That is a definite possibility, Ovi and Semen could be difficult to deal with but the jump from coaching a junior team straight to the NHL without a pause as Assistant coach or a stint in the AHL might have been too much for him. I also think it may have something to do with family Since he is from the london area.

While the Oil have been tight lipped over the whole coaching thing, they have not fooled anyone. It was no secret that Renney was not coming back, it is no secret that they want Sutter to step in. I thought I heard recently that Kreuger was not coming back next year, and wonder if Nelson may step up to take his place. So the coaching staff will be Sutter, Nelson and Buchberger.

Now obviously with the Barons still playing there is no news and I expect none until hockey is done for the year, but bringin in Sutter on a 3 year deal and promoting Nelson to coach under Sutter will:

a) transition Nelson to the HC job in the future.
b) help transition players from the AHL to the NHL
- OilHorse

Nelson doesn't want to be an assistant he made that clear last year when he was hired for OKC

Nelson doesn't want to be an assistant he made that clear last year when he was hired for OKC
- Lahey

I hope the Oilers give Nelson serious consideration instead of recycling another guy like Renney.

Nelson doesn't want to be an assistant he made that clear last year when he was hired for OKC
- Lahey

Then I doubt he comes up. He is, imo, the 2nd most important coach in the Oiler system, only head coach of the Oilers is more important, but I am not convinced he is ready for tthe NHL yet.

I hope the Oilers give Nelson serious consideration instead of recycling another guy like Renney.
- Starbuck

Depends what they want. Heard something about NHL experience, what does that mean? NHL HC experience or just NHL coaching experience

Then I doubt he comes up. He is, imo, the 2nd most important coach in the Oiler system, only head coach of the Oilers is more important, but I am not convinced he is ready for tthe NHL yet.
- OilHorse

Ideally it would've been nice if Renney had one more year left. Give him this year and if he couldn't get the team going then look for someone else. It would also give Nelson another year under his belt to see what he can do.

Ideally it would've been nice if Renney had one more year left. Give him this year and if he couldn't get the team going then look for someone else. It would also give Nelson another year under his belt to see what he can do.
- Lahey

Im not gonna lie, i am kind of hoping they sign sutter, would be pretty sweet seeing as how the oil will probably surpass the flames in points this year, and even sweeter if they do it with calgary's former coach. Feasters fat head would explode

Im not gonna lie, i am kind of hoping they sign sutter, would be pretty sweet seeing as how the oil will probably surpass the flames in points this year, and even sweeter if they do it with calgary's former coach. Feasters fat head would explode
- ruttager17

I'd like Randy Cunneyworth, just to shut up the french.

Ideally it would've been nice if Renney had one more year left. Give him this year and if he couldn't get the team going then look for someone else. It would also give Nelson another year under his belt to see what he can do.
- Lahey

Yup, I would have thought that they would have given Renney a 2yr deal considering the improvements that were made this paSt year.

This gives him a chance to continue the progress, gives Nelson some more time to improve his resume, but is not so long that anyone should be complacent.

I wonder if the Oilers could convince Dale Hunter to give it a try, given they're such a young team.
- Desert_Dog

Meh. I doubt being a young team has much of an impact on some coaches.

I second the notion on John Carlson. I think he performs well when the pressure is high.

I'd also consider the following players:

Doug Hamilton (Boston is bare bones on the RW and might be willing to listen)
Marco Scandella (Minnie could always use some scoring)
Alexei Emelin (i only wonder if he's better than peckham/teurbert.)
Tim Erixon (NYR's defense looks pretty set as it is. not a lot of room for youth)
Karl Alzner (I just like me some Alzner, he'd look good on the Oilers' blueline)

It's be decent of the Oilers to pick up someone who's of pure blueline offense too. Names like Ryan Ellis, Ryan Murphy, Kris Letang, Erik Karlsson come to mind. Obviously those players are untouchable but should the opportunity arise, someone to QB the PP would be nice.
- kelholtz

Doug Hamilton is an interesting name on the list. OHL Defenseman of the Year. Huge body. And you're right, the Bruins really need a Top 6 RW.

Thing is, Hemsky doesn't get you Hamilton. It's more likely it would need to be one of the big four (Hall, Eberle, Nuge or the right to draft Yakupov) as part of the deal. I'm not sure if I'm dealing any of these four for player who is unproven at the NHL level. Defense is so much harder to learn and succeed at in the NHL.

I'd like Randy Cunneyworth, just to shut up the french.
- Lahey

Actually, I was wondering about Perry Pearn the other day...if he could get at least an interview with the Oilers for the job.

Actually, I was wondering about Perry Pearn the other day...if he could get at least an interview with the Oilers for the job.
- Maxbone

He'll probably get an interview.