Get Ready For Something Bold!!!

While it would be next to impossible to view the removal of Kevin Lowe and Craig MacTavish from their positions within the Edmonton Oilers organization as a questionable decision, Friday’s announcement that both would be relieved of their duties effective immediately was still rather shocking. 

Hindsight

One cannot help but wonder if there are days that Craig MacTavish sits around and ponders what might have been, had he only been willing to give up his first round selection at the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. While the Edmonton Oilers used the seventh overall pick to snag themselves a blue-chip prospect in defenceman Darnell Nurse, it was that decision that ultimately kept this organization from acquiring former Vancouver Canucks netminder Cory Schneider. 

MacT is not looking to be bold in 2014-15

When the Edmonton Oilers decided to part ways with Steve Tambellini, they had the opportunity to take the organization into a completely different direction but instead went the route of hiring Craig MacTavish as their general manger. 

Tambo's biggest blunder

During his near five year tenure as general manager of the Edmonton Oilers, Steve Tambellini managed to become arguably the most vilified individual in franchise history. While some would say his biggest flaw as a GM was his unwillingness to make a move to improve his roster, others would suggest it was the decisions that he did make that ultimately hurt this team the most.

The Kids Are Not The Problem

With the Edmonton Oilers heading for what could quite possibly be their fourth first overall pick in the last five years, many fans have finally reached their breaking point. Not surprisingly, much of the blame for what currently ills this roster continues to be hurled towards former general manager Steve Tambellini. 

Firing Renney when they did, is coming back to haunt the Oilers

With the Edmonton Oilers sitting in the basement of the Western Conference with a 7-16-2 record, one can't help but wonder why this team is sitting where they currently are in the NHL standings. While their roster simply isn't good enough to be considered a legitimate playoff contender, this team should be nowhere near twenty-ninth place in a thirty team league.

2013-14 Preview: Grebeshkov will be Grebeshkov

Denis Grebeshkov is one of those players that generally splits a teams fan base. There are those that love the puck moving abilities that the talented Russian defenceman brings to the table and than there are those that could do without watching the mind numbing turnovers and questionable on ice decisions.

Oilers will need big seasons from both Belov and Ference

Edmonton Oilers general manager Craig MacTavish had himself a fairly large to-do list entering the off-season. At the very top of that list, was upgrading the club's blueline at the NHL level. While he was unable to acquire the top pairing defenceman this team desperately needed, at least to this point, he most certainly improved the groups overall depth with the additions of Anton Belov and Andrew Ference.

Krueger actually helped the Oilers take a step forward in 2013

It has been exactly one week since Ralph Krueger was relieved of his duties as head coach of the Edmonton Oilers. While no one could blame Craig MacTavish for making the move and bringing in former Toronto Marlies head coach Dallas Eakins, everyone including the Oilers GM himself, felt Krueger was dealt a pretty rotten hand. Unfortunately, very much like life itself, the world of sports isn't always about things being fair.

Oilers send Krueger packing but is coaching the problem?

Edmonton Oilers general manager Craig MacTavish was once again in the news on Saturday afternoon, announcing the club had decided to part ways with head coach Ralph Krueger. The rookie GM was all business during the mid-afternoon press conference but did sound a little uncomfortable in delivering the news...and who could really blame him.

Shawn Horcoff, the Edmonton Oilers and compliance buyouts

When Craig MacTavish decided to take on the role of General Manager for the Edmonton Oilers, the four time Stanley Cup winner knew he would have some difficult decisions ahead of him. With the NHL Entry Draft and Unrestricted Free Agency quickly approaching, many of those tough choices will be made over the next few weeks.

MacTavish will have himself one busy off-season

It was the same old same old on Monday morning at Rexall Place. Another end of season address from the Edmonton Oilers General Manager...with one difference. Craig MacTavish did not pull any punches. He made it very clear, that this organization needs to make some major changes, if they are to take that next step and become a perennial playoff team. The job is obvious but finding those necessary answers, may not be so easy to acquire.

Game 42: Minnesota 5 Edmonton 3

In their first opportunity to make an impression on new GM Craig MacTavish, the Edmonton Oilers proceeded to come out as flat as board on Tuesday night, falling by a score of 5-3 to the Minnesota Wild at Rexall Place. The loss was their sixth straight, which is a feat that has not been achieved in this neck of the woods since December 2009.

Oilers fans are less than thrilled with Kevin Lowe

With the Edmonton Oilers recent history being what it is, Kevin Lowe was basically in a no-win situation on Monday morning. After watching the team suffer through a late season collapse, that has all but guaranteed this franchise missing the playoffs for a seventh consecutive season, the majority of fans wanted to see major change within the organization.

MacTavish in, Tambellini out as Oilers General Manager

Apparently losing to a Calgary Flames side which dressed six American Hockey League players on Saturday night against the Edmonton Oilers, was the final straw. After watching this team lose five consecutive games, when it mattered most and hearing the masses screaming for change, President of Hockey Operations Kevin Lowe and Owner Daryl Katz had seen enough.

Nordic trio should help address Oilers lack of scoring depth

Moving forward, there is little question the Edmonton Oilers need to change the makeup of their lineup. For those that watch this club on a regular basis, the holes are obvious. A top pairing defenceman and likely another depth blueliner, at least one skilled top six forward with size and a completely new look within the bottom six.   

Oilers final nine games will determine if Tambellini stays or goes

On the heels of an ill-timed three game losing streak, that will likely play a large role in seeing the Edmonton Oilers miss out on the NHL playoffs for a seventh consecutive season, fans across Oil Country have reached their boiling point. Calls for the dismissal of General Manager Steve Tambellini are, one again, growing by the second.

Game 39: Anaheim 2 Edmonton 1

On a night in which the Edmonton Oilers caught a huge break, in facing the Anaheim Ducks without Ryan Getzlaf or Sheldon Souray, it was another former Oiler who came back to haunt his old club. A pair of goals from Radek Dvorak proved to be too much for Ralph Krueger's crew to overcome, falling by a score of 2-1 to the Pacific Division leading Ducks.

Step Taken: Oilers Playing Meaningful Games

Heading into the 2013 NHL season, the plan for the Edmonton Oilers was to take that next step in their re-build. In some minds, that meant a post-season berth. In others, a marked improvement on their 30th, 30th and 29th place finishes would have been more than enough.

Oilers will target Mark Streit on Deadline Day and via Free Agency

With only hours remaining until the 2013 NHL Trade Deadline, General Manager Steve Tambellini and the Edmonton Oilers have remained nothing more than spectators during this year's so-called "frenzy". Like nearly every other team in the league, Tambellini and company would love to get their hands on New York Islander blueliner Mark Streit.