Former Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft a top candidate for new NHL coaching role
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The Edmonton Oilers had major success after the departure of Jay Woodcroft mid-season, and now he's in line for a new role with the Blue Jackets.
Jay Woodcroft was once regarded as one of the brightest young coaches in the entire NHL, but after a poor start to the 2023/24 campaign, the Edmonton Oilers parted ways with him in favour of Kris Knoblauch and an eventual Stanley Cup Finals run. Now, the former coach is in line for another role, with a new report revealing that he's one of two finalists to become the man in charge of the talented young Columbus Blue Jackets.
As one of NHL's best beat scribes Aaron Portzline says Woodcroft and Evason are finalists for Blue Jackets coaching job after Waddell couldn't work out contract terms with LA who still owe McLellan $5.5m. Jay interviewed for few vacant jobs
In 133 games in charge of the Oilers, Woodcroft posted an impressive 79-41-13 record, but ultimately would succumb to the immense expectations that a Canadian market provides. In Columbus, he won't have the talent of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, but he'll have a young core led by the likes of David Jiricek, Adam Fantili, Kent Johnson and the familiar faces of Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan.
The team recently pulled out of the race to land Todd McLellan, so Woodcroft would certainly be a much cheaper and a very intriguing option, so look for the coach to be finalized in the very near future.
Source: Oilers Insider
Jay Woodcroft has been named a finalist for the final NHL coaching position
Jay Woodcroft has been named a finalist for the final NHL coaching position
| POLL | ||
12 JUILLET | 90 ANSWERS Former Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft a top candidate for new NHL coaching role Would Jay Woodcroft be a good hire for the Columbus Blue Jackets? | ||
| Yes | 71 | 78.9 % |
| No | 19 | 21.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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