Will going "off the board" with new coaches cause the Edmonton Oilers to hit or miss their ultimate target
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In addition to David's work, here are some more basics along with context and quotes from Head Coach Kris Knoblauch:
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Paul Coffey is not returning as Defence coach, returning instead to his previous role upstairs.
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'We'll still have conversations with Paul, and Paul will still give us his insight on how the team is playing and what we could be doing'.
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Assistant Coach Mark Stuart had his contract extended and his duties expanded to include the Defence corps in addition to the Penalty Kill. Kris Knoblauch spoke to the fact that in between good runs the kill struggled mightily at times this past season:
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'There will be changes to our system, (and) we will be doing things a little bit differently'.
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Paul McFarland will join Knoblauch behind the bench, help coach the forwards and be responsible for the much-vaunted Oilers Power Play:
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'Just the fact that he has been running an NHL power play for many years, started in Toronto, Florida and then Seattle'.
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McFarlane coached the WHL's Calgary Hitmen last year. He had previous OHL experience in Kingston and Oshawa, where he and Knoblauch coached against one another. They also briefly coached together for Hockey Canada.
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And a new Goalie Coach also arrives in the person of Peter Aubry from Omaha and Division I College. Aubry also has eight years of experience in the Chicago organization as a developmental coach. Obviously, G.M. Stan Bowman has a take on his abilities. Here is Knoblauch's:
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'He'll be able to push those guys and uh…you know, bring a different perspective and hopefully you know elevate them to get those to play at their best more often'.
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Finally, Connor Allen is the new Team Skills coach.
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Some big picture thoughts:
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-It is highly appropriate for Kris Knoblauch to put his own stamp on his coaching staff. He had inherited practically everyone. But having coached the club to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals appearances, he has earned the right.
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-Having one less coach on the bench is significant. One less set of eyes, yes, but also one less voice that might complicate communication, between the staff yes but also between staff and players. I think this point may be a hidden benefit. There is an old saying 'nothing kills greatness like consensus'.
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