Oilers Head Coach Defies Ken Holland and Demotes Top Free Agent Acquisition
Photo credit: Sportsnet
The Edmonton Oilers are still working out the kinks in their roster, and now it appears there could be turmoil between the Head Coach and GM after the recent demotion of a top acquisition.
Knoblauch Demotes Brown In Signal To Executives
The Edmonton Oilers' season has been a roller coaster, with a severe low to start the season followed by an 8-game winning streak. After two consecutive losses, however, Head Coach Kris Knoblauch has taken matters into his own hands regarding the lineup, demoting one of Ken Hollands' top acquisitions this offseason Connor Brown.
Oilers lines at practice:
Kane-McDavid-Hyman
RNH-Draisaitl-Foegele
Janmark-McLeod-Brown
Erne-Hamblin-Gagner
Nurse-Ceci
Ekholm-Bouchard
Kulak-Desharnais
Gleason
Skinner
Pickard
Derek Ryan didn't play in the 3rd period last night after colliding with Kevin Stenlund.
Kane-McDavid-Hyman
RNH-Draisaitl-Foegele
Janmark-McLeod-Brown
Erne-Hamblin-Gagner
Nurse-Ceci
Ekholm-Bouchard
Kulak-Desharnais
Gleason
Skinner
Pickard
Derek Ryan didn't play in the 3rd period last night after colliding with Kevin Stenlund.
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Placing Brown on the third line is a clear demotion as he has yet to contribute significantly this season. He has just 1 point through 22 games with the Oilers, and Knoblauch is sending a clear message by his demotion.
Oilers Looking to Figure Things Out To Make Push for Playoff Spot
The Edmonton Oilers are trying to fix their beginning-of-the-season mistakes, washing away any potential damage they put themselves in. Now, they are sitting just outside of a playoff spot and will need to continue their recent success and win at a high rate if they want to squeak into the Playoffs.
That's 7 wins in a row for the Oilers.
3 weeks ago Edmonton was 31st in the NHL standingsthey are now 3 points out of a playoff spot.
3 weeks ago Edmonton was 31st in the NHL standingsthey are now 3 points out of a playoff spot.
Hopefully, for them, the hole they dug themselves at the beginning of the year won't come back to haunt them come the end of the season.
As seen on Oilers Daily - "Coach Knoblauch sends a bold message to Ken Holland"
| POLL | ||
18 DECEMBRE | 249 ANSWERS Oilers Head Coach Defies Ken Holland and Demotes Top Free Agent Acquisition Do you think the Oilers are going to make the playoffs? | ||
| Yes | 148 | 59.4 % |
| No | 101 | 40.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
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