OK, credit where credit is due. With angst, anger and frustration running heavy after the Edmonton Oilers soiled the sheets again in a 3-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks Thursday, we got one of the better lines I’ve read on social media lately.

Sports 1440 host Jason Gregor, who’ll be sporting a new hairstyle, The Lahey, for the next six months because he bet the Oilers would beat the sad-sack Sharks, asked after the game: <a href="blank">“If you were Jeff Jackson what single move would you do?”</a> To which avid Oilers fan Ernie Iceman responded, “<a href="https://twitter.com/Ernieiceman/status/1722863481257648568">Go back to being an agent.</a>”
With Jackson, Connor McDavid’s former agent, only on the job as Oilers’ CEO of hockey operations since Aug. 3, that’s likely not an option, but I understand the sentiment. The Oilers, picked by many pundits to be Stanley Cup contenders – <a href="https://www.nhl.com/news/stanley-cup-predictions-for-2023-24-nhl-season">they most certainly were</a> – had lost four straight games and were 2-9-1 at the bottom of the Pacific Division with the loss to the Sharks before taking it to the Seattle Kraken 4-1 Saturday.
That first Dirty Dozen was an unmitigated disaster &#8212; one that likely has the Oilers out of contention for a division title and those prone to panic calling for the firing of everybody from GM Ken Holland and coach Jay Woodcroft to goaltending coach Dustin Schwartz. Most fans didn’t see these hideous results coming when training camp broke – serial fibbers will insist they did – and they want somebody to pay.
<h1>WHAT TO DO?</h1>
<figure id="attachment_141485" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-141485" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-141485" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Edmonton-Oilers-Connor-McDavid-hits-Vancouver-Canucks-Suter-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Edmonton-Oilers-Connor-McDavid-hits-Vancouver-Canucks-Suter-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Edmonton-Oilers-Connor-McDavid-hits-Vancouver-Canucks-Suter-300x200.jpg 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Edmonton-Oilers-Connor-McDavid-hits-Vancouver-Canucks-Suter-768x512.jpg 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Edmonton-Oilers-Connor-McDavid-hits-Vancouver-Canucks-Suter-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Edmonton-Oilers-Connor-McDavid-hits-Vancouver-Canucks-Suter-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-141485" class="wp-caption-text">Nov 6, 2023; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (97) collides with Vancouver Canucks forward Pius Suter (24) in the third period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure>
The outrage is understandable. This face plant isn’t what fans were sold leading into training camp during those early captain’s skates with the “Stanley Cup or bust” mantra top of mind. After back-to-back seasons of 104 and 109 points, fans were told straight-faced this edition of the Oilers was all-in and expected to take the next step, but the players haven’t delivered.
The buzz was about whether McDavid would capture another Rocket Richard Trophy and match or improve on his 153 points in winning another scoring title. Could Stuart Skinner regain his Calder Trophy finalist form after a tough post-season? Would fans be in for a playoff rematch with the Vegas Golden Knights, last season’s Stanley Cup champs? 
Instead, McDavid hasn’t looked right since missing two games with an injury. Skinner has struggled. Jack Campbell is in the AHL getting lit up. The Oilers are lousy defending the rush, their power play has slipped and the penalty killing makes you want to check the bottom of your shoes. You’re talking playoffs? 
Given the above, I won’t argue if you want Holland fired for spending to the cap without adding a proven goaltender and adequate depth at forward to complement the top-end guys. As for Woodcroft, I wouldn’t fire him for the sake of change, but I don’t get a vote. His impressive overall points percentage doesn’t matter if he can’t get his message across, if his game-planning and tactics don’t pass muster or if he’s unwilling or unable to hold his players accountable. Is that the case? Didn&#8217;t look like it last night.
If Jackson wants to sack Holland and Woodcroft, that’s his call. This is probably Holland’s final season anyway and Jackson can slide into that chair. What about replacing Woodcroft? Who&#8217;d step behind the bench for him? Who represents an upgrade on the balance of his work and is available? What happens with Dave Manson, Glen Gulutzan and Mark Stuart? 
<h1>THE BOTTOM LINE</h1>
The Oilers have to be far better than they were in their first 12 games. No argument. My question is whether 13 or 15 or 17 games during a terrible start is enough time to assess and make the right moves. If the right time isn’t now, then when? What’s the sweet spot to address a situation turned sour? When is it too early? Too late? I don’t know the answer. There has been speculation &#8212; unfounded as far as I can tell &#8212; changes will come now that the road trip is over. I wasn&#8217;t buying that before the win over Seattle, I&#8217;m not buying it today.
People being pissed off after the loss to the Sharks and demanding change is to be expected. It&#8217;s part of being a fan, but these aren’t decisions that bosses with successful teams make when passion is running high and reason takes a back seat. These are tough calls and moves Jackson&#8217;s job title dictates will cross his desk at some point, but I don&#8217;t see it happening now. You might be there. I&#8217;m not.
<h1>ABOUT THE MONEY</h1>
Sportico, the Business of Sports, has the <a href="https://www.sportico.com/feature/nhl-team-values-ranking-list-1234693065/">Oilers ranked</a> eighth overall in the NHL in terms of franchise value at $1.59 billion in valuations it released on Nov. 8. That number represents an increase of 23 per cent over the last year. Billionaire Daryl Katz purchased the Oilers in early February of 2008 for $200 million U.S. 
The Toronto Maple Leafs lead the way at $2.65 billion, up 25 per cent in the last year, and the New York Rangers are second at $2.45 billion, up 22 per cent. The Montreal Canadiens are third at $2.27 billion. Those are the only three teams valued at over $2 billion.
<h2>THE #NATIONVACATION TO ARIZONA</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-141135" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Arizona_Article_1-1024x568.png" alt="" width="849" height="471" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Arizona_Article_1-1024x568.png 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Arizona_Article_1-300x167.png 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Arizona_Article_1-768x426.png 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Arizona_Article_1-1536x853.png 1536w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Arizona_Article_1-2048x1137.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 849px) 100vw, 849px" />
Oilersnation is headed to the desert! Escape to Arizona on our next Oilersnation Vacation presented by Alberta Blue Cross from Feb 18-20th, 2024! Join the party for just $1,999/person (double occupancy rooms). Your ticket includes roundtrip flights from Edmonton, two-night stay in a popular hotel, transportation to the airport and premium hockey game tickets! <a href="https://nationgear.ca/products/2024-arizona-oilersnation-vacation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Limited spots are available so don’t hesitate to get your ticket now!</a>

OK, credit where credit is due. With angst, anger and frustration running heavy after the Edmonton Oilers soiled the sheets again in a 3-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks Thursday, we got one of the better lines I’ve read on social media lately.



Sports 1440 host Jason Gregor, who’ll be sporting a new hairstyle, The Lahey, for the next six months because he bet the Oilers would beat the sad-sack Sharks, asked after the game: <a href="blank">“If you were Jeff Jackson what single move would you do?”</a> To which avid Oilers fan Ernie Iceman responded, “<a href="https://twitter.com/Ernieiceman/status/1722863481257648568">Go back to being an agent.</a>”

With Jackson, Connor McDavid’s former agent, only on the job as Oilers’ CEO of hockey operations since Aug. 3, that’s likely not an option, but I understand the sentiment. The Oilers, picked by many pundits to be Stanley Cup contenders – <a href="https://www.nhl.com/news/stanley-cup-predictions-for-2023-24-nhl-season">they most certainly were</a> – had lost four straight games and were 2-9-1 at the bottom of the Pacific Division with the loss to the Sharks before taking it to the Seattle Kraken 4-1 Saturday.

That first Dirty Dozen was an unmitigated disaster -- one that likely has the Oilers out of contention for a division title and those prone to panic calling for the firing of everybody from GM Ken Holland and coach Jay Woodcroft to goaltending coach Dustin Schwartz. Most fans didn’t see these hideous results coming when training camp broke – serial fibbers will insist they did – and they want somebody to pay.
<h1>WHAT TO DO?</h1>
[caption id="attachment_141485" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-141485" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Edmonton-Oilers-Connor-McDavid-hits-Vancouver-Canucks-Suter-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" /> Nov 6, 2023; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (97) collides with Vancouver Canucks forward Pius Suter (24) in the third period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]

The outrage is understandable. This face plant isn’t what fans were sold leading into training camp during those early captain’s skates with the “Stanley Cup or bust” mantra top of mind. After back-to-back seasons of 104 and 109 points, fans were told straight-faced this edition of the Oilers was all-in and expected to take the next step, but the players haven’t delivered.

The buzz was about whether McDavid would capture another Rocket Richard Trophy and match or improve on his 153 points in winning another scoring title. Could Stuart Skinner regain his Calder Trophy finalist form after a tough post-season? Would fans be in for a playoff rematch with the Vegas Golden Knights, last season’s Stanley Cup champs? 

Instead, McDavid hasn’t looked right since missing two games with an injury. Skinner has struggled. Jack Campbell is in the AHL getting lit up. The Oilers are lousy defending the rush, their power play has slipped and the penalty killing makes you want to check the bottom of your shoes. You’re talking playoffs? 

Given the above, I won’t argue if you want Holland fired for spending to the cap without adding a proven goaltender and adequate depth at forward to complement the top-end guys. As for Woodcroft, I wouldn’t fire him for the sake of change, but I don’t get a vote. His impressive overall points percentage doesn’t matter if he can’t get his message across, if his game-planning and tactics don’t pass muster or if he’s unwilling or unable to hold his players accountable. Is that the case? Didn't look like it last night.

If Jackson wants to sack Holland and Woodcroft, that’s his call. This is probably Holland’s final season anyway and Jackson can slide into that chair. What about replacing Woodcroft? Who'd step behind the bench for him? Who represents an upgrade on the balance of his work and is available? What happens with Dave Manson, Glen Gulutzan and Mark Stuart? 
<h1>THE BOTTOM LINE</h1>
The Oilers have to be far better than they were in their first 12 games. No argument. My question is whether 13 or 15 or 17 games during a terrible start is enough time to assess and make the right moves. If the right time isn’t now, then when? What’s the sweet spot to address a situation turned sour? When is it too early? Too late? I don’t know the answer. There has been speculation -- unfounded as far as I can tell -- changes will come now that the road trip is over. I wasn't buying that before the win over Seattle, I'm not buying it today.

People being pissed off after the loss to the Sharks and demanding change is to be expected. It's part of being a fan, but these aren’t decisions that bosses with successful teams make when passion is running high and reason takes a back seat. These are tough calls and moves Jackson's job title dictates will cross his desk at some point, but I don't see it happening now. You might be there. I'm not.
<h1>ABOUT THE MONEY</h1>
Sportico, the Business of Sports, has the <a href="https://www.sportico.com/feature/nhl-team-values-ranking-list-1234693065/">Oilers ranked</a> eighth overall in the NHL in terms of franchise value at $1.59 billion in valuations it released on Nov. 8. That number represents an increase of 23 per cent over the last year. Billionaire Daryl Katz purchased the Oilers in early February of 2008 for $200 million U.S. 

The Toronto Maple Leafs lead the way at $2.65 billion, up 25 per cent in the last year, and the New York Rangers are second at $2.45 billion, up 22 per cent. The Montreal Canadiens are third at $2.27 billion. Those are the only three teams valued at over $2 billion.
<h2>THE #NATIONVACATION TO ARIZONA</h2>
<img class="aligncenter wp-image-141135" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Arizona_Article_1-1024x568.png" alt="" width="849" height="471" />

Oilersnation is headed to the desert! Escape to Arizona on our next Oilersnation Vacation presented by Alberta Blue Cross from Feb 18-20th, 2024! Join the party for just $1,999/person (double occupancy rooms). Your ticket includes roundtrip flights from Edmonton, two-night stay in a popular hotel, transportation to the airport and premium hockey game tickets! <a href="https://nationgear.ca/products/2024-arizona-oilersnation-vacation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Limited spots are available so don’t hesitate to get your ticket now!</a>

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