Oilers speak to Chiarelli and McLellan

[swiper]

• Elliotte Friedman: Former Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli is in Edmonton meeting with the Oilers. Question is, what position are they discussing? Is the President of Hockey Operations an option? Chiarelli flew there today.

• Mark Spector: Assuming that Chiarelli is interviewing for the GM position, but that is unconfirmed.

• Darren Dreger: Confirm that Chiarelli is in Edmonton. Bob Nicholson is reviewing all aspects of their Hockey Operations. Not specific to the GM position.

• Darren Dreger: Nicholson has to look at all options to improve the team. The experience that Chiarelli could bring the Oilers would be very enticing for them.

• Luke Fox of Sportsnet: Nicholson was named as the CEO of the Oilers on Monday – with GM Craig MacTavish and president of hockey options Kevin Lowe reporting to him.
• 
  
  “The timeline for hockey ops,” Nicholson said at Monday’s press conference, “I would like to do it right away, but I won’t commit to that. I will do it when the timing is right. There are a lot of playoff games going on, so we won’t rush any decisions.”
  
  
  Friedman reported earlier this week that the Oilers have already been in contract with former Sharks head coach Todd McLellan.

LINK

[swiper]

• Damien Cox: If the Oilers are going to pursue Todd McLellan, they should have the decency to let Todd Nelson go first. Elliotte Friedman: Betting the Oilers would like to have Nelson be the lead assistant coach if everything works out. Damien Cox: Makes sense, but why would Nelson want to take a demotion.

• Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun: Todd McLellan earlier this week.
• “I would like to coach a great group of hockey players next year,” McLellan said Monday at a press conference announcing a ‘mutual parting’ with the Sharks. “Connor McDavid, everybody is talking about him and his ability to come and have an impact.
  
  “(But) one thing that I’ve learned is you can have the best player and still not have the best team. It’s about team. It’s about a group. It’s about the whole organization, the culture of the organization.”
  
  
  Don’t count on a McLellan decision until after Mike Babcock has decided his future. Money alone might not be enough for the Maple Leafs to land Babcock if he becomes a free agent. The Flyers and Sabres will be interested, possibly the Oilers. The Leafs will talk to Peter Chiarelli about their vacant GM position to see what he is thinking.
  
  
• “We’re really just creating lists and getting our ducks in a row,” Shanahan said Saturday before leaving for the world under-18 championships in Switzerland. “That will be a bit of a lengthier process because there are a lot of people. It will change in the coming weeks, depending on what happens with certain teams.
  
  “I’ve reached out to certain teams. It’s just going through a process as a courtesy.”
  

[swiper]

Putting Odds on the next Head Coach
Mikaela Brady

The Buffalo Sabres are in the market for a new head coach after firing Ted Nolan on Sunday, April 12th. They are rumored to be looking at Mke Babcock as well as several other candidates for the position.

"Mike's a guy that wants to walk in and win a Stanley Cup that first year, he's not trying to rebuild over three or four years." - Craig Custance of ESPN

http://www.wgr550.com/Putting-Odds-o...Coach/21401280

[Skooby]

Babcock would be my first choice.

[mightysimi]

Babcock would be my first choice.

To play devil's advocate, you could argue that Babcock has had good teams wherever he went. Like the Phil Jackson of NHL coaching.

[Skooby]

To play devil's advocate, you could argue that Babcock has had good teams wherever he went. Like the Phil Jackson of NHL coaching.

How about he tenure as GM ?? Ouch.

[JATMtheJATM]

Per various sources, Chiarelli will be announced as oilers GM tomorrow

[mightysimi]

How about he tenure as GM ?? Ouch.

Yeah that is painful to watch. I can't wait to see maybe the middle of next year where the master of zen freaks out and loses it on his ****ty knicks!!

- - - Updated - - -

Per various sources, Chiarelli will be announced as oilers GM tomorrow

You think GM? Are the canning McTavish? I heard President which would either move Lowe or fire him.

[don137]

Glad to hear Chiarelli is going to be GM of Oilers. He loves to trade good young talent for inferior return.

[mightysimi]

TSN is reporting that he will be in charge of hockey operations. I don't think it will be GM.

[mightysimi]

Glad to hear Chiarelli is going to be GM of Oilers. He loves to trade good young talent for inferior return.

And get to 2 stanley cup finals winning 1. Being part of the Team Canada executive group winning 2 olympics. Don't forget those parts.

[JATMtheJATM]

And get to 2 stanley cup finals winning 1. Being part of the Team Canada executive group winning 2 olympics. Don't forget those parts.

Yeah, but along the way he really effed the bruins long terM outlook. They need to fis his mistakes to get back to being contenders

[ckg927]

TSN is reporting that he will be in charge of hockey operations. I don't think it will be GM.

Actually, Chiarelli will be in BOTH positions. Kevin Lowe is transitioning out of the hockey end of things, but will remain vice chair of Oilers Entertainment Group...and Craig MacTavish will move to a role TBD.

[swiper]

Actually, Chiarelli will be in BOTH positions. Kevin Lowe is transitioning out of the hockey end of things, but will remain vice chair of Oilers Entertainment Group...and Craig MacTavish will move to a role TBD.

Will any of that actually make them good?

[JATMtheJATM]

Rumor has it McLellan is close to accepting the oiler job.