February 11, 2022 by Josh Boulton

The Edmonton Oilers are a team with problems. HUGE problems. Major problems that have not only kept this franchise from being one of the most exciting teams in hockey, but have made them possibly the least exciting team in hockey. A laughing stock. A joke.

And it’s not like they haven’t fired a coach before. Is a coaching change enough if it’s the same players? Why will this be any different? Why should a fan be even remotely optimistic?

Well I think it’s because the biggest issue of this team isn’t actually all that difficult to solve. 

All they need is an identity.

That might feel like it’s too big to change in time to make a difference this season. I disagree. An indentity only takes as long to form as it takes for players to buy into it. Forget four, three, or even two years ago. THIS group of players, here and now, has been through too much, cares too much to not give everything they have. They have too much to prove. They want to follow, they just need someone to lead the way. I don’t believe Tippett lost the room. He just never seemed to gain it in the first place. To the outside, it was never clear what the plan was. 

These players want an answer. They seem like they’d be willing to buy in to just about anything right now. All this coaching staff needs is an actual product to sell them. 

For the short 40 game term that is the season, it won’t matter what message this new coaching staff brings. As long as there IS a message and they’re confident enough to follow through with it to the end, this roster is capable and hungry enough to buy it right away.

Starting tonight.