Former Oiler Jay Woodcroft linked to coaching Canadian rival team
Photo credit: Gary Vasquez - Imagn Images
Former Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft is looking to get back into the NHL, and may take his next job as head coach of the Vancouver Canucks.
Rick Tocchet recently made the decision officially to step away from the team as his contract expired, and the Canucks look further away than ever from the playoffs.
Jay Woodcroft named as candidate for Vancouver Canucks head coach job
Now that the Canucks are beginning their search for a new coach, NHL insider Jeff Marek has reported that Jay Woodcroft has interviewed with the Anaheim Ducks and one other team - and listed the Canucks as a prime fit.
Jay Woodcroft is right there with them. Experience in a Canadian market, experience in a number of benches, cokes from a family of coaches.
He's interviewed with Anaheim, I believe there's at least one other team he's spoken to, and there is interest around the NHL in Jay Woodcroft. Rutherford was saying we don't want to drag this on and lose candidates. That's the one guy I keep coming back to for Vancouver.
- Jeff Marek
He's interviewed with Anaheim, I believe there's at least one other team he's spoken to, and there is interest around the NHL in Jay Woodcroft. Rutherford was saying we don't want to drag this on and lose candidates. That's the one guy I keep coming back to for Vancouver.
- Jeff Marek
The Canucks may be a perfect opportunity for Woodcroft to get back into the NHL and coaching, with perhaps little expectation to get back into the playoffs.
Last season was essentially a lost year for Vancouver with their locker room drama haunting the team, leading to some below standard performances on the ice. Woodcroft will be tasked with settling down a Canadian market, and getting the ship back on track to a functional locker room.
With Edmonton, Woodcroft was a quality coach that may have been unfairly done in by horrific goaltending from Jack Campbell and Stuart Skinner. He will be back in the NHL, and a quality coach, but Edmonton has no regrets with Kris Knoblauch.
| POLL | ||
MAI 4 | 757 ANSWERS Former Oiler Jay Woodcroft linked to coaching Canadian rival team Do you think Vancouver should hire Jay Woodcroft? | ||
| Yes | 555 | 73.3 % |
| No | 202 | 26.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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