Tambellini Press Conference Live Blog (Updated!)
Jonathan Willis
April 15 2009 11:51AM
Steve Tambellini is giving a press conference at 12:00. Video is available at the Oilers official site . This is the official OilersNation live blog for the conference, and material will be added as the conference continues.
[11:50] - Dan Tencer seems to be finished playing around with the microphone, so I'm assuming the sound is set up. Since there's nothing else to discuss as of yet, he seems to be dressed pretty casually for this sort of thing - aren't reporters supposed to wear suits?
[11:52] - The back of Dan Tencer's head is all that I can see from this camera (aside from the two water bottles on either side of the microphone). The back of his head appears to be itchy.
[11:54] - The zoom function on the camera seems to work.
[11:56] - The feed seems a little choppy. Hopefully that doesn't continue.
[11:56] - As per the comment below and now confirmed on their official site, Sportsnet is reporting that MacTavish is finished.
[12:01] - The Spector article says that the decision was made by MacTavish to step down, as opposed to being fired. Still waiting for Tambellini.
[12:03] - He's here.
[12:04] - The season was a disappointment, they aren't where they wanted to be. Issues need to be addressed - they've had discussions internally.
[12:05] - Tambellini confirms that the Oilers will be pursuing a new head coach. Tambellini says it was "the right thing for Craig and for the Oilers at this point". He says the team needs a "new voice", but calls the decision a mutual one between Tambellini, Lowe and MacTavish.
[12:06] - There will be personnel changes; he is not letting the players off of the hook.
[12:07] - Tambellini says that a "commitment to win at any cost" was the hallmark of old Oiler teams. He agrees that grit and size were issues this season, and says that the team will be identifying players who can add that internally and then acquiring what they need from outside the team.
[12:09] - The ownership, Kevin Lowe, and Craig MacTavish are the three reasons why Tambellini accepted the job. He thanked MacTavish for his service.
[12:10] - Calls MacT "a quality coach and a quality person, but decisions have to be made for us to get better".
[12:10] - Tambellini leaves the door open, but doesn't expect MacTavish back in another capacity. He thinks he will be coaching in the NHL next season for another team.
[12:11] - MacTavish's remaining year on his contract is "not an issue".
[12:12] - Tambellini still sees "an incredible amount of potential in this group". He said that the pressure on this group to perform immediately is "what you want" and identifies how players react to that kind of pressure as a key evaluation of their value.
[12:14] - Tambellini "will not put up with" an "unemotional game". He says the team needs more strength, energy, and grit, and again hints that trades will be made to acquire those qualities.
[12:14] - He keeps coming back to the theme that there "has been success at times". He has a specific type of coach in mind, and says that a new coach will be in place "when we get the right guy". It sounds like a decision won't be made until the options are clear; Tambellini hinted strongly that more options would be available once teams were eliminated from the playoffs. The first name that comes to my mind when he says that is Brent Sutter.
[12:16] - Tambellini has yet to talk to the assistant coaches but expects to deal with them "within the week".
[12:17] - He wants at least one top-six player, and guys that are hard to play against in general. He also reemphasizes the need to get more out of players that are currently in the organization. I'd guess that means that not all of MacTavish's whipping boys are considered irredeemable.
[12:17] - Tambellini identified scouting and development as areas where there is "a lot of work to do", and rather heavily implied there will be changes. Don't get too comfortable, Kevin Prendergast.
[12:18] - "It's time to stop looking back; we have to look forward." I'd imagine that the Oilers glory days job offerings are going to become fewer under Tambellini's watch.
[12:20] - "It's important that we take our time right now and that we review all aspects." No hasty decisions to be made, supposedly. Tambellini also was asked if any players had expressed a desire to leave. His response: "No."
[12:22] - Although I'm a little concerned that this team is going to go overboard to pick up size at the expense of other things, on the whole he's saying all the right things. He seems reasonable and even-handed, and says that there are definitely some positives to the current group that need to be kept. Change for the sake of change doesn't sound like it's going to be happening here, although I suppose time will tell.
[12:24] - Tambellini says that the coach doesn't neccessarily need NHL experience, but for an inexperienced guy he'd need to be "a special person". Based on his reaction, I'm guessing the next guy has NHL experience - his face pretty much gave that away.
[12:26] - Tambellini says that he "needs to be wide open right now" with respect to where the next head coach comes from, but I'm rather cautiously optimistic based on what he's said so far that it won't be someone from inside the organization.
Well, that's it for the press conference. On the whole, I think Tambellini said the right things and got the right message out; the team is in the midst of a top-to-bottom review of both players and management, and will set a course going forward to address areas identified as deficient. Naturally, the G.M. isn't going to criticize ownership, but I really think that for the most part it's a non-issue, and that was the message Tambellini stressed in that regard.
Tambellini praised MacTavish and spoke about him accurately; it does sound like he will be leaving the organization entirely and continue to coach, just somewhere else. I'm quite confident that there is another NHL job in the near future for MacTavish. As for his replacement, all the signs were there that Tambellini already has a short list; he said that he had a "specific type" of coach in mind, and it sounds like that coach will both a) have NHL experience and b) come from outside the organization. It also sounds like that coach is currently in the playoffs, and off the top of my head, my best guess would be Brent Sutter.
Obviously, time will tell, but based on this press conference I think this organization is in good hands.
On Second Thought...
I guessed Brent Sutter off of the top of my head, but Tambellini never specified that the coach had to have experience as a head coach at the NHL level; he just strongly hinted that the next coach would have NHL experience and was running a team with games left to play. Looking at my short list from the other day (and excluding Sutter), there are four names on the list; three of whom I think are the likeliest bets. Those three are:
- Scott Arniel. The Manitoba Moose coach is currently busy in the AHL playoffs, but given that Tambellini was the Vancouver Canucks executive responsible for overseeing their farm team, Arniel would be a known quantity for him. Arniel has previous NHL experience as an assistant coach with the Buffalo Sabres.
- Don Lever. An assistant coach in Montreal, Lever's AHL record is distinguished and he's been an assistant coach in Buffalo and St. Louis as well. Plus, it would be nice to pay the Canadiens back in kind for snatching up Claude Julien.
- Paul MacLean. Stealing Detroit assistant coaches could get to be something of a trend. MacLean followed Babcock over to Detroit from Anaheim, and he was also previously an assistant coach in Phoenix. He spent eight seasons as a minor league head coach, putting up a nice record in the IHL and a championship win with the UHL's Quad City Mallards.
Like I said, if I had to bet, I'd bet on one of those three.
"WOW...totally out of the blue, who saw this coming." I speak as I crawl out from under my rock.
Tambo is ready, with targets locked...next up
PDP!
RossCreek wrote:
Would you want your brother to be your boss... or would you like to COMPETE against him? The Sutters are competaters.
With the picture and time quotes this is becoming a religious experience.
In the future we should start quoting Steve 12:14, "we will not put up with unemotional game"
Oh, I almost forgot...
Who saw this coming!?!
Who cares about Brent Sutter. Lets enjoy this glorious day! The day we lost Mac T!
Rick wrote:
I think Tambellini was interested in watching and observing exactly what he had to work with and now knows the cupboards are bare in all spots. I like the moves Tamby did make with his trades so I have faith in him (for now)
Ducey wrote:
Hahahaha, dude that's classic.
"Yea, though Tambellini sayeth 'Let there no longer be mediocrity!' And MacTavish resigned. And it was good."
If this breakup was so "MUTUAL"... why no media availability from MacT?
The Towel Boy wrote:
*weeps tears of joy, and wraps TB in embrace whether he wants one or not*
Reggie wrote:
Sutter Signed a 4 year deal in July '07. He has 2 years left, not 3. The only way Brent ends up with another NHL team is if they give Lou some compensation in Jersey. And in all likleyhood, that team would be Calgary. Other than that, I'd expect him in Jersey or Red Deer, NOT Edmonton.
Bruthah - NNC wrote:
and you forgot about the sound of my snoring as I'm still passed out inside with a stained "06 Western Conference Champs" shirt tucked under my head like a pillow.
Ducey wrote:
Wow...I actually LOL'd.
Chris wrote:
They like to fight over potatoes?
@ Reggie: agreed.
Ducey wrote:
Jesus, ur on fire.
"Thou shalt not look back. Thou shalt looketh forward always." Tambellini 12:18.
Chris wrote:
Or you could say "family is family". If he wants to "compete" with his brother, there's plenty of other teams he could go to.
Spelling takes to much thought. Gloating in unbecoming. So are personal attacks on players and coaches, team presidents etc. Time to let go of the past and look to the future. Fact the coach is no longer the coach, who did what or how is of no value to the fact. Speculating on new coaches and player moves is the time honoured role of fans. being upset at what changes might or might not be made before they happen is the best examples of foolishness I can think of at the moment.
What does FMNF mean?
Chris wrote:
Gold Jerry, GOLD!
@ RossCreek: Thanks for the correction about term remaining.
Don wrote:
Finally Mactavish Now Fired?
Well, it used to mean Fire MacTavish Now, F*ckers.
Reggie wrote:
I had to double check because I thought he only had 1 year left.
Archaeologuy wrote:
LOL! As long as Katz made some progress down here, I am getting sick of watching the Rebels suck
I WOULD OFFICIALLY LIKE TO REMOVE MY NAME FROM CONSIDERATION. THANKS.
Apparently Souray hasn't asked for a trade... yet anyway.
It's a start...
@ Brent Sutter: Oh... thanks Brent.
Don wrote:
Nothing anymore...it used to mean Fire MacTavish Now F*ckers!
Ya, I don't know about Sutter, but, I sure could see him enjoying competing against, not working for his brother. No way he ends up in Cal, long shot that he ends up in Etown. Either way, I like the having an experienced coach and the WE WILL COMPETE. This year, way way to many games where they were totally outworked. And whats up with Moreau not liking the expectations???? Ain't that why you play the games? To win? hey eathan, there's only 1 parade.
This just in....
I just saw Dustin Penner purchasing a BowFlex!
I don't think Tambo answered the question honestly about players asking to be moved.
@ Brent Sutter: Wow, usually people try us on before they ask to be traded. This is new.
Hire Arniel Next F*ckers!
??
I think I just saw Dennis leaving the press conference still wearing his Pouliot jersey... (I think he's crying)
West Coast Oil wrote:
Not to dampen the party but...
If the trade deadline is an indication of what we can expect in the future, shouldn't we be a little concerned?
Both him and MacT stressed committment, willingness, grit and size as problems that were identified as far back as January, right?
So why does Tambellini go out and get a guy with a reputation of inconsistency and not using his body enough in Kotalik and another small skilled guy in O'Sullivan?
It was a good day in terms of asset management but it was pretty piss poor in terms of fixing what the club needed fixed. No?
I wonder what Tambellini was referring to exactly when he said that the expectations and preparation by the players needs to change.
Soo....Moreau and Staios presser at 2:30pm....WTF?
@ Rick:
Because that was the best available option with the assests we had to trade with?
@ Rick:
Maybe Tambellini traded Cole only because he knew he wasn't returning, and the trade that was made was the best option available?? Kotalik played well for us, and could possibly sign with us again. Obviously trades were in the future plans this summer, now we have Sully as another chip.
The Towel Boy wrote:
WHAT? FOR REALS??
*can't imagine more excitement in one day. Hopes we are getting an apology like the lucky ducks in Springfield got*
@ Jack "FMNF" Bauer:
Or he was shopping off the wrong list.
Bottom line is that he didn't actually solve the problems that needed solving and ended buying for the sake of buying.
topshelf wrote:
Maybe he means Penner had better come to camp in shape next year... or he can EXPECT to play in Sprinfield for the duration of his contract.
@ Rick:
Buying for the sake of buying, explain?
The Towel Boy wrote:
Thought I heard that it got postponed til tomorrw?
@ Chris: As far as I can recall Penner wasn't in shape LAST year but showed up this year much fitter and in good shape. Is that not true?
Maybe Moreau will explain why he feels it's unfair for the coach, and fans to have high level of expectation for the players to perform.
His name was Craig Mactavish....... HIS NAME WAS CRAIG MACTAVISH
@ RossCreek H.A.N.F.:
Not sure...it just got tweeted by the official Oiler twits.
@ topshelf: I heard he barely made physical... and he used the offseason to learn how to juggle.