Throwback Thursday: Two years ago this week, Edmonton Oilers hire Dave Tippett

This week two years ago (May 28), the Edmonton Oilers hired Dave Tippett as the 16th coach in franchise history.

In the two years since, Tippett has coached the Oilers to a 127-72-44 record and a .610 points percentage — the second-best number of any bench boss in club history behind only Glen Sather (.616).

Unfortunately, when the playoffs have rolled around, the Oilers have struggled going 1-7 in the eight games they’ve played. Despite that it’s clear Dave Tippett is doing what Dave Tippett does in turning around middling hockey clubs and making them competitive.

All throughout his career, he’s taken teams that have had poor finishes in years prior and made them competitive hockey clubs. Twentieth in all-time games coached, Tippett now has to find out how to take the Oilers to that next level. Some clubs he’s coached (Dallas 2002-03. 2007-08, Phoenix 2011-12) have had lengthy playoff runs, but those are the only times his teams have escaped the first round of the post-season.

For these Oilers, they’ll be looking to do just that next year in a weak Pacific Division.

What do you think of Tippett’s first two years behind the bench?