2009-10 NHL preview: Edmonton Oilers

So what should a team that went 38-35-9 do in it’s off season? We are talking about a team that scored 85 points and missed the playoffs for the second straight year. If you answer is, fire the head coach and look to add a few pieces, smart money would say you were on the right path. The Edmonton Oilers on the other hand are taking a slightly different approach.

While they did fire their coach, Craig Mactavish after eight season at the helm. However Oilers General Manager Steve Tambellini replaced him with not one but two men. The conventional wisdom of sports is if you have two of anything, then you really have none. This is why this decision by the Oilers is so puzzling. Even more puzzling is the two men that will lead the Oilers in the upcoming season.

Pat Quinn who is fifth among NHL head coached with 657 victories is technically the head guy, but Tom Renny is also the head guy or associate if we are to believe their titles. The real problem here is these two men could not be more different. Quinn is an old school, cigar chomper who is very tough on his players. Renny on the other hand is a tactics guy, and has a very soft approach. How these two men, who both are use to calling all the shots get along will really define the Oilers season.

Additions- G Nikoli Khabibulin, W Chris Minard, and D Matt Nickerson

Subtractions- C Kyle Brodziak, RW Ales Kotalik, G Dwayne Roloson, D Mathieu Roy, G Dany Sabourin, and LW Tim Sestito