Post by thedarkangel1975 on Apr 15, 2013 14:09:18 GMT -5
With their playoffs hopes dwindling, the Edmonton Oilers fired general manager Steve Tambellini and replaced him with former Oilers player and head coach Craig MacTavish on Monday.
The Oilers made the announcement at a news conference Rexall Place in Edmonton.
"We are not where we want to be right now, or where we should be. We feel strongly we make changes right now," said Oilers' president of hockey operations Kevin Lowe. "We need to get better immediately. That starts today with this announcement."
The Oilers are currently eight points out of a playoff spot with seven games remaining and a record of 16-18-7.
MacTavish, who stepped down as head coach of the Oilers four years ago to the day, was named the new general manager while former Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson takes over MacTavish's role as senior vice president of hockey operations.
As a player, MacTavish won three Stanley Cup with the Oilers. As a head coach, he led the team to the playoffs three times while amassing a record of 301-252-56 with 47 ties.
"I'm an impatient guy. We have to do some bold things to move this team forward in a rapid fashion," said MacTavish. "We have to a better job arming our coaches and our core players with a group to get us to a highly-competitive level."
Tambellini was named the team's fourth general manager in 2008, succeeding Lowe.
The Oilers did not make the playoffs over Tambellini's four-plus seasons with the organization.
Over the last three seasons, the Oilers have had the first overall pick in the NHL Draft, selecting Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Nail Yakupov.
"We're poised for greatness and our fans understand that," said Lowe.
"The responsibility is on us. We aren't producing. We have to take a look in the mirror and turn things around," said forward Jordan Eberle after practice on Monday.
Tambellini joined the Oilers after 17 seasons as a member of the Vancouver Canucks management team, including three years as the team's vice president and assistant general manager.
"Steve is a very good man who worked hard for the Oilers. I want to thank him for all his contributions," said Lowe about Tambellini.
The Oilers host the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday at Rexall Place.
The Oilers made the announcement at a news conference Rexall Place in Edmonton.
"We are not where we want to be right now, or where we should be. We feel strongly we make changes right now," said Oilers' president of hockey operations Kevin Lowe. "We need to get better immediately. That starts today with this announcement."
The Oilers are currently eight points out of a playoff spot with seven games remaining and a record of 16-18-7.
MacTavish, who stepped down as head coach of the Oilers four years ago to the day, was named the new general manager while former Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson takes over MacTavish's role as senior vice president of hockey operations.
As a player, MacTavish won three Stanley Cup with the Oilers. As a head coach, he led the team to the playoffs three times while amassing a record of 301-252-56 with 47 ties.
"I'm an impatient guy. We have to do some bold things to move this team forward in a rapid fashion," said MacTavish. "We have to a better job arming our coaches and our core players with a group to get us to a highly-competitive level."
Tambellini was named the team's fourth general manager in 2008, succeeding Lowe.
The Oilers did not make the playoffs over Tambellini's four-plus seasons with the organization.
Over the last three seasons, the Oilers have had the first overall pick in the NHL Draft, selecting Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Nail Yakupov.
"We're poised for greatness and our fans understand that," said Lowe.
"The responsibility is on us. We aren't producing. We have to take a look in the mirror and turn things around," said forward Jordan Eberle after practice on Monday.
Tambellini joined the Oilers after 17 seasons as a member of the Vancouver Canucks management team, including three years as the team's vice president and assistant general manager.
"Steve is a very good man who worked hard for the Oilers. I want to thank him for all his contributions," said Lowe about Tambellini.
The Oilers host the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday at Rexall Place.
. The Boys on the Bus needs to stop. What's next? Paul Coffey head trainer? Jari Kurri OKC Barons head coach? The one consistent factor the Oilers have had since we made the playoffs last other than losing, was the hiring of Boys on the Bus alumni that do not help us win.
