Have Oilers finally achieved stability after 15 years of chaos?
Photo credit: USA Today Sports
Since 2010, the Oilers have undergone a prolonged period of instability and changing cultures. Until now, that is, as the current tandem of Stan Bowman and Kris Knoblauch have finally righted the ship.
When the Oilers selected Taylor Hall at number-1 overall in 2010, there was a real sense of excitement; a hope the team would finally win, after years of playoff futility. Hall seamed to be the missing piece to a talented squad on the cusp of success.
Culture of change in Edmonton promoted insecurity and a losing mentality
Alas, Taylor Hall was not the answer, or anyone that came after him; not for a while. What followed, instead, was an unhealthy pattern of change for the sake of change itself.
Since 2010, Edmonton has had 7 different general managers, and 9 different coaches. That is 16 different personalities, each bringing to the team their own style and ideas; 9 different coaching personnel and approaches to running a team, on and off the ice.
The team always felt like it was rebuilding, starting over with each new GM, or head coach. It was a culture that promoted insecurity all around.
And change became the norm for the Edmonton Oilers. It was the rule, rather than the exception. And when jobs are uncertain, players and personnel alike tend to lose focus.
Yet, talent was never really the problem with the Oilers, whose teams have been stacked with stars as far back as I can recall. Still, the rosters felt shaky, and lacked a foundation.
Until now. Though the early days of McDavid and Draisaitl were not what the team expected, it did eventually find its identity - and stability. With a deep supporting cast on the ice, and a competent GM and head coach, the Oilers are no longer focused on rebuilding, but on winning.
The last four playoffs, and last two in particular, is evidence the Oilers are headed in the right direction, with the right staff who feel secure in their position with the team.
TRENDING NOW
