There were plenty of rumors the Edmonton Oilers had Dave Tippett as their leading candidate for the new head coaching job in Edmonton. It appears those rumors are no longer rumors.
Sportsnet’s John Shannon and Jeff Marek revealed in a video Monday that Tuesday, the Edmonton Oilers will hold a press conference to announce Dave Tippett as the new coach.
No time has yet been announced by the Edmonton Oilers as to when that press conference will take place.
Is It 100% Tippett?
This appears to be the first official report that Tippett has been hired. Many other media are saying that they think it’s Tippett. Most knew he was probably the guy.
The speculation has moved to all-but certainty and the Oilers will begin to move forward with a veteran coach who is known as a defense-first kind of guy, but one who will hopefully not place restraints on players like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Reid Wilkins of the Oilers broadcast team on 630 Ched has said, “with Dave Tippett expected to be named #Oilers head coach tomorrow, would not surprise me if Jim Playfair is on his staff.” Wilkins notes that Tippet was with Tippett for six seasons with Coyotes.
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How Tippett as Oilers Coach Came to Be
The buzz is that Tippett informed the Seattle expansion franchise he was leaving his post to come work with the Oilers. A prominent role with the NHL’s newest team, to some, was actually considered a step up from coaching. But, despite telling people he had no interest in coaching with Seattle, Tippett must have the bug as he’s leaving a good gig to coach.
The idea of a Ken Holland and Dave Tippett partnership likely came together months ago. As Tippett was doing his scouting with the Seattle team, he’d been in touch with Holland about other matters. At some point, he likely had a conversation with Holland about coming to Seattle as GM (a job he was rumored for).
The tides have now turned as Holland accepted the GM position in Edmonton and among his first major hires, called Tippett back and said, ‘Here’s what we’re thinking.’ Clearly, Tippett liked what he heard.
He probably also liked the fact he could jump back into the NHL with a team and not have to wait two seasons.
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The Tippett Deal and Oilers Changes
Per the Edmonton Journal, Tippett, 57, will make around $4 million per year with the Oilers. He’ll lead what is expected to be an entirely different-looking Oilers bench.
Kurt Leavins writes:
Look for Trent Yawney, who joined the Oilers last year as a defensive core specialist, to join Todd McLellan in Los Angeles. What exactly this means for Glen Gulutzan and Manny Viveiros is not clear, although I don’t expect both of them to be back, at least not in their present roles.
source – ‘Head Coach Dave Tippett and his new Oilers assistant coaches are expected to be introduced in Edmonton in the next few days’ – The Edmonton Journal – Kurt Leavins – 05/24/2019
Along with Playfair, a couple of the names speculated to join Tippett might be Mark Lamb and Bob Boughner. Jay Woodcroft is expected to stay in Bakersfield with the Condors where he had a wonderful season.
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Plenty of Tippett Questions
This hiring will be widely accepted in Edmonton by the fan base but it won’t come without questions. Can Tippett coach an offensively gifted star like McDavid without putting handcuffs on him? Would a younger coach have been a better play? Is McDavid and Draisaitl happy with the news?
It is expected these questions, and more will be asked tomorrow at the press conference to introduce the new head coach.
Jim Parsons is a freelance writer who covers the Edmonton Oilers and news and rumors posts here at The Hockey Writers.
You can also catch him writing at NHLtradetalk.com, The Sportster and hosting weekly video casts, THW News and Rumors Rundown, plus Oilers Overtime.
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