"We both agree that it is time for a change," said Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini today, as he explained why the Oilers have chosen to fire head coach Craig MacTavish.
"This is the right thing for Craig, and the right thing for the Edmonton Oilers," Tambellini explained. "This does not absolve the players and their performance, or lack thereof."This should set the laundry list of Oilers who have yet to live up to expectations of them -- Dustin Penner, Robert Nilsson, and Marc-Antoine Pouliot chief among them.
And while MacTavish's firing has been seen on the horizon since the Oilers' disastrous home loss to the Buffalo Sabres, when Oilers fans chanted "fire MacTavish", Oilers fans should be less than jubilant about MacTavish's departure.
Oilers fans have enjoyed a surprlus of say into the personnel of the team over the past several seasons, with questionable results. Oilers fans demanded the removal of Marc-Andre Bergeron, and wound up with Denis Grebeshkov. Oilers fans demanded Joffrey Lupul receive his walking papers, and the Oilers briefly enjoyed the services of Joni Pitkanen before experiencing disappointing experiences with Erik Cole and, now, Patrick O'Sullivan. Oilers fans demanded to be rid of Mike Comrie and have yet to see much in return -- Jeff Woywytka was traded to St Louis in the eternally disappointing Chris Pronger deal, and Robbie Schremp continues to languish in the minors.
If Oilers fans continue to make demands regarding the team's personnel and management continues to grant them, Oilers fans will, at some point, have to face up to the reality that they've been given the team they wanted. If that team turns out to be less than successful, Oilers fans will have to share in the blame.
Other bloggers writing about this topic:
Don Sinclair - "Oilers Let MacTavish Go"
All Oil... All the Time! - "Craig MacTavish is Out!"
Jonathon Willis - "Craig MacTavish Relieved of Coaching Duties"
