Edmonton Oilers: Coaching Woes Not Just An Eastern Ailment

In the last month, hockey teams across the NHL have been firing coaches who have had less-than-expected success.  And whether you think it's a coincidence or not, three teams with new coaches all played in Europe for the opening of the season.

I think it's a coincidence, but it's a neat little statistic.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have dumped Michel Therrien for Dan Bylsma.  The Ottawa Senators shipped Craig Hartsburg to the unemployment line and welcomed Cory Clouston into the family.

And just recently, the New York Rangers gave Tom Renney the pink slip and hired TSN analyst and former Tampa Bay Lightning coach, John Tortorella.

It seems like the turnover in coaches is a growing trend this season in the NHL, yet I am still perplexed by one coach's ability to hang on to his job.  Barely over .500, Edmonton Oilers coach Craig MacTavish still remains the head honcho for the club after eight seasons and only one Stanley Cup appearance.

Therrien, Hartsburg, and Clouston, admittedly, had teams with troubles, but nowhere near as bad as say, the New York Islanders, last in the Eastern Conference with a mere 42 points.  The Rangers are even in a playoff position right now.

The Edmonton Oilers, while still technically in the playoff formula, have struggled all season to maintain consistent play.  They just can't seem to hit the back of the net when they need to the most. Already, three games this season have ended in complete blow-outs at the Oilers expense.

I've heard comments such as "We've seen that if given the right team, Craig MacTavish can get us to the Stanley Cup."  

But that's not the point of a coach.  

With the talent on the 2005-2006 team including Mike Peca, Chris Pronger, Jaroslav Spacek, Smyth, and break-through performer, Fernando Pisani, any coach could have gone all the way.  A good coach takes a mediocre team and forces them into a great team.

Given the right talent, any coach can go all the way. MacTavish has proven that given any team, he can keep them in mediocrity.

Give MacTavish a job as a sports analyst. He sees the games great, and can really talk about it. Or give MacTavish a job as a consultant or a scout.  He has a future with the NHL, and may even have a bright future coaching for another team, but things just don't seem to be working in Edmonton, and it's about time management and ownership realized it.

Take a page out of Pittsburgh's, Ottawa's and New York's playbook.