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What do you think of Jay Woodcroft? Do he and Dave Manson have enough runway left in the season to turn the Edmonton Oilers season around?

Josh Boulton (@ToughCallPod)
I’ve always said panic isn’t the answer. There’s plenty of time to get this season on track. There just needs to be an injection of life and belief, and a fresh, hungry coaching staff is just the ticket.

Surveyor Brett (@Bluchanski)
I love Woodcroft. The Oilers better keep him past this season. He’s the first coach of a different style & mindset they’ve hired in the last many many years. But no I don’t think they have the runway to turn it around that quick. No practice time. Should have fired Tippett 3 weeks ago!

Ryan Lotsberg (@lotsry299793)
I think Woodcroft is the right coach for this team. He’s got a positive mindset and his players work for him. He’s got the right demeanor to work with this generation of players. I believe in investing in people whose success lies ahead, not people who have already had their best moments. We’ve seen established coaches fail here, and now it’s time to try a guy who’s been developing in our system for quite some time.

Mike Dirsa (@MikeDirsa)
Absolutely there is enough runway left to right the good ship Oilers. I’m excited for the opportunity for Jay and Dave to make their impression on this team. Jay is hungry to become a successful head coach at the NHL level and Dave knows what it takes to be a very good defencemen in the NHL.

Eric Friesen (@EricJFriesen)
This is a move that had to be made. By all accounts, Dave Tippett is a great person, but the Oilers need a voice and a new philosophy. Jay Woodcroft is a young, intelligent coach who has built a positive culture with the Bakersfield Condors. He was going to get an opportunity in the NHL eventually, and I’m glad it’s in Edmonton.

Michael Hebert (@Oilerslive)
I love this move by the Oilers. Here is a guy that has really given a lot to the Oilers organization. Woodcroft is possibly the most deserving candidate and if you’re looking at a mid-season coaching change, you couldn’t ask for a better situation than a coach that has familiarity with the players and has instant rapport.

What do you think is the Oilers greatest need? Goaltending, defence, or forward depth?

Josh Boulton (@ToughCallPod)
Defence by a landslide. And not necessarily new players, but more a cohesive defensive structure. Giving up less high quality scoring chances will solve the goaltending issue, and spending less time scrambling in their own end and more time transitioning out of the d zone will solve the forward problem. 

Surveyor Brett (@Bluchanski)
I’d say defence. Forwards are all there it’s the usage that is confusing. Goaltending is an issue but the defence is the biggest problem. Hopefully Playfair’s departure helps with this. 

Mike Dirsa (@MikeDirsa)
The biggest need on this team is still goaltending. Quality goaltending covers up every other deficiency on the ice. It’s the last line of defence and it’s what separates contenders from pretenders. 

Ryan Lotsberg (@lotsry299793)
I’d say goaltending right now, but I don’t see a realistic fix out there right now. Kane and the eventual possibility of Holloway coming up makes the team quite deep up front. They could use a boost at 3C, and I still don’t like Nuge there. They could use another defence-first left D for depth, but I don’t mind the roster when it’s at full health. An upgrade on Keith at 2LD is in the system, but that won’t come to fruition until next season at the earliest.

Eric Friesen (@EricJFriesen)
Goaltending is unquestionably the team’s biggest need. This team needs an upgrade in goal to not just go on a long playoff run, but to get into the dance at all. It’s unlikely that they will be able to trade for an elite goalie in-season, but they can’t run with MIke Smith and Mikko Koskinen for a third straight playoffs.

Michael Hebert (@Oilerslive)
While I think goaltending could definitely be better. I think the way the market is, it’s a bit of a dream that we’re going to get demonstrably better between the pipes. Of course that need in net could get even more urgent if Smith continues his injury woes. I think most important need is on the backend, this team needs to be harder to play against and losing Keith for a short stretch will also make us woefully aware of that need.

Does Holland’s job security hang in the balance if the Oilers don’t make the playoffs? Is anyone else at risk in the organization?

Josh Boulton (@ToughCallPod)
If it doesn’t, it fucking well should. But I don’t see this happening or anyone else being targeted because this team will make the playoffs. 

Surveyor Brett (@Bluchanski)
Yeah he’s at risk but it’s hard for me to think he’d actually get fired after this season. There is a massive financial commitment to Holland that would have to be paid either way. We’ve heard the word “budget” mentioned multiple times as far as off ice spending so I’m not sure Nicholson and Katz would want to eat that cost. 

Mike Dirsa (@MikeDirsa)
Most GM’s are given two coaches so I am of the opinion Holland’s fate rests firmly in the hands of the success of Jay Woodcroft and Dave Manson now. He’s on the clock now. 

Ryan Lotsberg (@lotsry299793)
Yes, it does. The coach is already gone, and the GM is the next man to fall if the team can’t turn it around. The only safe people should be Tyler Wright and his amateur scouting staff.

Eric Friesen (@EricJFriesen)
If this team misses the playoffs, anyone could be fired. Woodcroft’s job might be the safest, because he’s only getting 38 games to work with this group. Daryl Katz would need to take a long look at his organization if they take a big step backwards this year.

Michael Hebert (@Oilerslive)
Of course it does and I’m most worried about Woodcroft if a new GM is put in place. Is this Todd Nelson version 2.0? I hope that if the team misses the playoffs, the organization starts to look at some of the more foundational aspects of the organization. There is a need for change and this season really amplifies it.