Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE
The Edmonton Oilers coaching staff has had some slight alterations made to it. All the assistants move one spot up and former coach Tom Renney moves out the door. Renney is now Mike Babcock‘s right hand man for the Detroit Red Wings. The new man at the helm is former associate coach Ralph Krueger. Krueger vows to bring a different style and gameplan to the Oilers. That will remain to be seen.
How Krueger handles his bench is what will define him. Lineup is filled with underachieving veterans and younger, potential star players trying to establish themselves as such. Krueger ultimately needs to sell the veterans on a more defensively responsible role, while the young stars try to score as many goals as they can. The lineup needs balance. Last season there were too many players searching for goals, often leaving their own goaltenders to their own devices.
Krueger is going to have to be heavy handed and make sure that all players are treated equal. Accountability needs to be preached. Too often over the years, the veterans have been treated with a soft touch. If the Oilers are interested in winning games this season, then everyone needs to know their role and pull in the same direction.
A bigger role will be placed on assistants Kelly Buchberger and Steve Smith. Steve Smith should be in line to coach the defense this season, while Kelly Buchberger will help Ralph Krueger with the forward group. Frederic Chabot will stay on as the goaltending coach. The Oilers made big strides in improving the special teams last season. It will be key to not let that slip.
However the Oilers’ coaching staff decides to deploy its players, the biggest favor they could do for themselves is selling players on roles and getting them to buy in. Quite often, there were too many players (mostly vets) who seemed unsure of what they should be doing on the ice. Roles need to be clearly defined and after that, players need to be held accountable. It’s the only way to get themselves out of the NHL basement.
