Posted by admin on 16th, 2009
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP)—This was starting to look all too familiar to the Oilers. The NHL playoffs were starting, and Edmonton was done for the season.
Coach Craig MacTavish paid the price.
He was fired Wednesday after the Oilers failed to make the playoffs for the third straight year. The dismissal came on the same day the NHL postseason began, and general manager Steve Tambellini said the team needed a fresh look behind the bench.
“He gave everything he possibly could to help this team get better,” Tambellini said during a news conference. “But we both agree that it is time for a change.”
The Oilers finished 11th in the Western Conference with a record of 38-35-9 for 85 points. This was the fifth time in seven seasons they have not reached the playoffs.
“We shouldn’t be comfortable when we’re sitting here out of the playoffs,” Tambellini said. “Is there emotion when you have to let a quality coach go? Yeah, there is emotion. But that’s the hard part of this business. Decisions have to made for us to get better.”
The Oilers were a long way from 2006 when they made it to the Stanley Cup finals, losing in seven games to Carolina. MacTavish had just six players left from that team. This year, his players were younger and more skilled but lacked the grit and gamesmanship of the club that came within one game of the title.
This week, MacTavish acknowledged that toughness was an issue.
“When you evolve from a team that would lay it all on the line and then you try to integrate a bunch of skill, it’s got to be productive,” he said. “Virtually all year, we’re trying to get nonconfrontational players into confrontational areas where we’re going to score goals. It was a losing battle from a lot of perspectives.”
MacTavish never coaxed consistent performances from forwards Shawn Horcoff and Ales Hemsky. Dustin Penner played everywhere from the first line to the fourth.
Erik Cole struggled before being traded to Carolina at the deadline for Patrick O’Sullivan. Sam Gagner had a poor first half before finding his stride. Robert Nilsson was erratic.
The power play finished 23rd in the league and the penalty-killing unit was 27th. Both were big factors in a home record of 18-17-6. The only teams with fewer points at home were Toronto, the New York Islanders, Atlanta, Colorado and Tampa Bay.
Original Article on Yahoo! Sports
Posted by admin on 6th, 2008
Avery Alert: With so much news surrounding the Sean Avery situation, our new section “Avery Alert” will bring you all the news comments you need in one handy location. Don’t worry though, this section will only last a short time and will stop once we all get sick off hearing about Avery.
- NHLPA Plans to file grievance on Avery suspension
The National Hockey League Players Association is planning on grieving Sean Avery’s 6-game suspension. The PA believes NHL commissioner Gary Bettman handed down a summary suspension before the hearing, constituting a violation of the collective bargaining agreement. The CBA suggests for off-ice discipline a hearing must take place before action is taken. (The Full Story on TSN)
News
- Wild keeping Gillies from World Juniors
While Team Canada’s December camp roster for the World Junior Hockey Championship has room for additions, forward Colton Gillies will not be one of them. (The Full Story on TSN)
- Wilson puts struggling leafs through early morning skate
For most NHL teams taking a road trip through a warm and sunny locale, a round of golf is usually on the schedule. But for a Toronto Maple Leafs club that dropped two of three games after a humiliating loss to the Phoenix Coyotes, it’s a good ol’ fashioned bag skate. (The Full Story on TSN)
- Can the Stars start fresh without Avery?
While it has been made clear that the Dallas Stars aren’t interested in getting Sean Avery back in their lineup anytime soon — if at all — are there any other opportunities that might work with other teams around the NHL? (The Full Story on TSN)
- Canucks GM Gillis believes Sundin decision imminent
As Mats Sundin continues to ponder his future, Canucks general Mike Gillis is once again attempting to convince the Maple Leafs all-time leading scorer that Vancouver should be his destination of choice. (The Full Story on TSN)
Trades & Transactions:
Injuries:
- Sam Gagner (C – Oilers) Day-to-Day with concussion.
- Owen Nolan (RW – Wild) Day-to-Day with lower body injury.
- Robert Nilsson (LW – Oilers) Placed on Injured Reserve.
Rumours & Gossip:
- Possible trade locations for Avery?
Could there be a trade involving Sean Avery? An article allegedly from TSN lists 5 teams who could provide possible trade locations for the forward. All would involve long term contracts that have not paid off; Dustin Penner (LW – Oilers), Jason Blake (LW – Maple Leafs), Radim Vrbata (RW – Lightning), Rostislav Olesz (LW – Panthers) & Sergei Samsonov (LW, Hurricanes).
Scores:
- Calgary 4 – 3 St Louis (Overtime)
- Vancouver 2 – 1 Minnesota
- Dallas 2 – 1 Colorado (shootout)
- Edmonton 5 – 4 Los Angeles (Shootout)
Source: NHL.com, Yahoo! Sports, TSN
