OT here: how many would welcome the idea of Pierre McGuire as our GM over Tambo? He may be an awful commentator, but he sure has a good feel for the game. I've heard his name tossed around alot on TSN and SN lately whenever GM positions or coaches have been mentioned.
Me personaly, think he might do a decent job.
He would not leave many of our players 'unmolested'.
He might be a little too enamoured by Horcoffs 'Long Stick', or every time Eberle scores a goal, he might credit another player for their 'Magical play'.
I don't know why a creepier hockey version John Madden, would be good for this team.
He would not leave many of our players 'unmolested'.
He might be a little too enamoured by Horcoffs 'Long Stick', or every time Eberle scores a goal, he might credit another player for their 'Magical play'.
I don't know why a creepier hockey version John Madden, would be good for this team.
Just to be clear here, I wouldn't want him as a GM. I was just interested in seeing the opinions of others on the subject. I think I pretty much saw this one coming haha. I did say he might do a good job, but realistically, anyone really could right now with this team cause it couldn't get much worse.
I could see him trading away the kids and d prospects for 35+ years old veterans though
I'm curious, I've seen it mentioned by a few people, but why Ruff if you don't mind me asking?
Look at the teams that he has had in Buffalo during his time there. He has always gotten the absolute most out of his teams year in and year out no matter what the personnel is. I know that he had Hasek for years but they had a weak supporting cast yet always overachieved.
He also coaches an aggressive forechecking system which is exactly what this team needs to do considering the personnel and his teams always had a lot of toughness. He also holds his players accountable when they aren't performing up to par veterans included and he always sticks up for his team. The one downfall is that he is a bit of a whiner to the media regarding refs, opposing teams/coaches etc. but i think it's more due to him being passionate more than anything else.
I don't know if Buffalo lets him go because they are going on one of their patented late season runs again but he would be my first choice by far to coach the Oilers next season.
Well, earlier this week Mark Spector did say that he was 98% sure Renney was gone after this year. All signs pointing to a new coach for 2012-13.
So I haven't read through all the posts but has there been any speculation in terms of who is driving the supposed coaching change? Is Renney backing down? Is he being let go? Are they (Tambo/Lowe) unhappy with Renney? Is there bad blood between them?
Who has Hemsky been a fan of? Every coach we've had he's been upset at one time or another.
That's the biggest thing about Hemmer-wants more "responsibility" but never really follows through. And even on offense, it's occasionally, not consistently.
The other is, and don't laugh, but I believe his contract is up this year... Mike Babcock. He is nomadic, his roots are from Saskatoon, and he may want a new challenge. The wings would be insane to let him go, but, you never know.
Babcock has a deal with red wings to 2015 and Quenneville's contract ends 2014
My dads co-workers son plays on Stockton (sorry, don't know his name), he said he got called up a few times and when he was, it was the best coaching he's ever had and he's been to a few places. He said he wanted to make the AHL team just because of how good the coaching staff was. Apparently he learnt more in 2 weeks with OKC then he did in his whole career. That to me sounds like a coaching staff that I want for our NHL team.
Heard from a few Oilers to that they wouldn't mind Ralph Kruger taking over, they said he's a great coach. All in all I think I would maybe call up Nelson to be an assosiate coach with Kruger, and then eventually take over the reigns.
Whoever the Oilers settle on I would say they need a guy who will be a Mr Hyde to Renney's Dr Jeckel.
Renney was in a no winsituation in part because they needed a mr nice guy to help a fragile team deal with all the losing. Problem being that you can't just flip a switch and go from mr nice guy to task master.
They need a task master to instill the proper expecations moving forward and a guy like Todd Nelson probably doesn't fit that mold. Let him hone in the AHL for one more coach and then look at promoting him.
Although it is the Oilers M.O. to rush inexperienced players to the big club, it could be a natural extension to rush their coach too.
If I was forced to bet on it, I would wager money that Krueger gets the head coach title, and Todd Nelson is brought up to be second in command (associate/assistant coach).
I'm not saying this is what I want to happen, or what should happen, just that I can totally see it happening. In particular if it's true that Krueger runs the special teams, I can see the club doing what it takes to keep him around because that's certainly been an area that they have to be happy with.
Kruger would be horrible if you are looking for free wheeling, did you see what his teams did when he coached the Swiss? The oilers would make Lemaires coaching style seem exciting.
Kruger would be horrible if you are looking for free wheeling, did you see what his teams did when he coached the Swiss? The oilers would make Lemaires coaching style seem exciting.
The Swiss played excellent, by playing excellent defense.
Nothing about the way the Swiss played suggested they were being held back offensively... it was simply fact of the matter that they were out manned talent-wise, offensively speaking. And so they played a lot of defense. Good defense.
But citing the Swiss team and saying "Look how Krueger stifled offense!" is crap. They were the Swiss for crying out loud.
The only insight I have seen into Krueger's mindset offensively is our 5-on-3 (where 2 guys get behind the net and pass the puck back and forth a couple times, so the goalie can't track it, and then a defense-man creeps in for a 1 timer). I REALLY like that play and really like the creativity of setting up a 5on3 behind the goal line. So it's not much, but it's a pretty good indication he's creative. And on offense, creativity is king.
My dads co-workers son plays on Stockton (sorry, don't know his name), he said he got called up a few times and when he was, it was the best coaching he's ever had and he's been to a few places. He said he wanted to make the AHL team just because of how good the coaching staff was. Apparently he learnt more in 2 weeks with OKC then he did in his whole career. That to me sounds like a coaching staff that I want for our NHL team.
Heard from a few Oilers to that they wouldn't mind Ralph Kruger taking over, they said he's a great coach. All in all I think I would maybe call up Nelson to be an assosiate coach with Kruger, and then eventually take over the reigns.
I bet Paajarvi would say the same thing this year.
If I was forced to bet on it, I would wager money that Krueger gets the head coach title, and Todd Nelson is brought up to be second in command (associate/assistant coach).
I'm not saying this is what I want to happen, or what should happen, just that I can totally see it happening. In particular if it's true that Krueger runs the special teams, I can see the club doing what it takes to keep him around because that's certainly been an area that they have to be happy with.
I thought I read somewhere that Krueger was done after this season regardless and that he wanted to go back to Europe or something like that... Am I crazy here?
I thought I read somewhere that Krueger was done after this season regardless and that he wanted to go back to Europe or something like that... Am I crazy here?
Yeah I thought I recall hearing rumblings like that too... but I'm not sure where it stands.
Let's say it was true, though... you would think perhaps a promotion to head coach would change his mind regardless. That'd be quite the opportunity, who could turn that down. Not to mention probably a pay bump.
I thought I read somewhere that Krueger was done after this season regardless and that he wanted to go back to Europe or something like that... Am I crazy here?
There were rumors that he was going to go back, but nothing every from his mouth and nothing more than that one article.
I'll put it to you this way if a NHL head coaching job is in his future, I'm pretty sure he takes it.
Yeah I thought I recall hearing rumblings like that too... but I'm not sure where it stands.
Let's say it was true, though... you would think perhaps a promotion to head coach would change his mind regardless. That'd be quite the opportunity, who could turn that down. Not to mention probably a pay bump.
To be honest, I like the idea of a Krueger/Nelson combo.
I'd get rid of everyone on the bench aside from Smith (he could be a big part of the improvement in Smid and Petry. Even Gilbert looked like a new man this year)
Bring up Nelson as an Assistant. Dream coaching staff would be Ruff/Nelson/Smith
To be honest, I like the idea of a Krueger/Nelson combo.
I don't mind it, but my hangup is we might create another MacT; promote a guy who is a good as an assistant coach but doesn't work as a head coach... and then you can't demote him and get back that good assistant coach.
Primarily I worry that Krueger can't demand a good effort from guys when they are cutting corners... I think someone used the term 'taskmaster' earlier. I think Krueger works as the good cop in a good cop/bad cop combo.
If it's Krueger/Nelson, who's going to be the bad cop?
I'd get rid of everyone on the bench aside from Smith (he could be a big part of the improvement in Smid and Petry. Even Gilbert looked like a new man this year)
Bring up Nelson as an Assistant. Dream coaching staff would be Ruff/Nelson/Smith
Yeah Ruff is my ideal candidate too and I think it is very plausible he is done in Buffalo if they miss the playoffs.
But Krueger seems like a really intelligent and personable coach, I would really like him to stay on in some capacity.
I don't mind it, but my hangup is we might create another MacT; promote a guy who is a good as an assistant coach but doesn't work as a head coach... and then you can't demote him and get back that good assistant coach.
Primarily I worry that Krueger can't demand a good effort from guys when they are cutting corners... I think someone used the term 'taskmaster' earlier. I think Krueger works as the good cop in a good cop/bad cop combo.
If it's Krueger/Nelson, who's going to be the bad cop?
If I was forced to bet on it, I would wager money that Krueger gets the head coach title, and Todd Nelson is brought up to be second in command (associate/assistant coach).
I'm not saying this is what I want to happen, or what should happen, just that I can totally see it happening. In particular if it's true that Krueger runs the special teams, I can see the club doing what it takes to keep him around because that's certainly been an area that they have to be happy with.
I'm of a similar opinion. Even though I wouldn't want a rookie NHL coach, at least Krueger knows the players, the systems and has gotten some games as interim head coach. I think Krueger would be a fine option as head coach, and he always has the Swiss to fall back upon.
So I would try Krueger for a one year contract. I like Todd nelson but I would leave him in the AHL for another year to help develop the young players. Let Nelson do what he's so far been succesful at. Similar to letting stu Macgregor continue scouting instead of promoting him to Gm.
If Krueger wants to leave in one year's time, or if he doesn't work out at the NHL level , then the Oilers should promote Todd Nelson.
