Edmonton Oilers' Best Coaching Choices

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EDMONTON, CANADA - JANUARY 11: Head Coach Craig MacTavish of the Edmonton Oilers looks up at the scoreboard against the St. Louis Blues on January 11, 2009 at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Dale MacMillan/Getty Images)

With predictions in the Edmonton media that Craig MacTavish will step down effective Sunday, it is time to look ahead to who could be his replacement behind the bench.

So with that in mind I will rank five possible choices for the Oilers to consider or that they are rumored to have an interest in.

I will rank them in reverse order with the last choice being my pick.

No. 5 Tom Renney

PHILADELPHIA - SEPTEMBER 29: Head Coach Tom Renney of the New York Rangers watches the play from the bench in a NHL game against the Philadelphia Flyers on September 29, 2007 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Rangers defeated the

Most Recent Work:
Coach of the New York Rangers

NHL Experience:
As head coach - New York Rangers, and New York Rangers

NHL Record:
Games W L T OTL
427 203 173 9 42

Relations to Edmonton:
Coached under Glen Sather in New York

Chances:
Rumored by the Edmonton media to be a coach of interest. Personally I think he would be more of the same. Has a well-known predilection to line juggle.

No. 4 Scott Arniel

BUFFALO, NY - SEPTEMBER 15: Scott Arniel of the Buffalo Sabres poses for a portrait on September 15, 2003 at the HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by: Getty Images)

Most Recent Work:
Coach of the Manitoba Moose

NHL Experience:
As assistant coach - Buffalo Sabres

NHL Record:
none

Relations to Edmonton:
Worked with GM Steve Tambellini in the Canucks organization.

Chances:
A coach which the fans on the internet forums seem to favor. Might be too difficult a position for him to come in as a beginner.

No. 3 Brent Sutter

NEWARK, NJ - MARCH 17: Head coach of the New Jersey Devils, Brent Sutter, talks during a press conference after defeating the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 at the Prudential Center on March 17, 2009 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Most Recent Work:
Head coach of the New Jersey Devils

NHL Experience:
As head coach - New Jersey Devils

NHL Record:
Games W L T OTL
163 96 56 0 11

Relations to Edmonton:
Born in Alberta, none otherwise.

Chances:
Brent apparently wants to move back to Alberta. If so he should be a front runner for the team. However, I suspect the Oilers are not looking in his direction.

No. 2 Rob Daum

Most Recent Work:
Head coach of the Springfield Falcons

NHL Experience:
As assistant coach - Edmonton Oilers

NHL Record:
None

Relations to Edmonton:
Coach at the University of Alberta, assistant coach of the Oilers and scout as well as head coach of the AHL Springfield Falcons.

Chances:
Rob is probably not the best choice for a head coaching job right yet but would be a better fit as an assistant in a much more prominent position with the Oilers, or to continue as head coach of the Falcons.