Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
The Edmonton Oilers may have found their man.
According to a report from ESPN’s Kevin Weekes, the Oilers are reportedly on the verge of signing interim head coach Jay Woodcroft to a three-year contract, dropping the interim tag from his title and locking him in as the organization’s figurehead after Woodcroft led the Oilers all the way to the Western Conference Final.
The news is far from surprising, really.
The Oilers absolutely flourished under Woodcroft after he took over for Dave Tippett midway through the season, posting an incredible 26-9-3 through the final 37 games on the schedule to pull themselves from the bottom of the Pacific Division all the way up to second place, earning home-ice advantage in the playoffs, as well.
That advantage clearly paid off, as Woodcroft proceeded to lead the Oilers to a surprise appearance in the Western Conference Final, beating a hungry young Kings team in round one before dismantling their provincial rival Calgary Flames in a heated Battle of Alberta.
The Oilers would ultimately meet their end at the hands of the Colorado Avalanche, but Woodcroft’s influence on the roster was clear to see, as his free-flowing style opened the door for the Oilers’ stable of talented players to truly utilize their gifts.
No coaching decision likely gets made without the blessing of Connor McDavid, which suggests that, if this deal is eventually signed as the report indicates, the NHL’s best player will have given it his stamp of approval.
After a tough end to the season, this should give the Oilers fanbase a nice little morale boost.
