The #Oilers have named Edmonton native Ken Hitchcock as their new Head Coach after relieving Todd McLellan of his duties earlier this morning. pic.twitter.com/joNXTLMXol
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) November 20, 2018
The Blues had the third best points percentage from 2011-2017 with Hitch (.650, behind Pittsburgh/Chicago) and out-scored their opponents by 193 goals during that span while surrendering the second-fewest shots against and goals against. Oilers could use some of that these days.
— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) November 20, 2018
The Oilers are allowing 3.30 goals per game (tied for 24th in the League) and they're 74.2 percent on the PK (27th). Can Hitch solve these issues? Can he help Cam Talbot help the Oilers solve these issues? He has accepted a challenge.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) November 20, 2018
A couple notes on this Hitch to Edmonton thing:
– He was in an advisory role with Stars. So technically he needed Dallas permission to take this job.
– Montgomery had spoken to Hitch a handful of times this season to discuss things that happened in particular games.
— Sean Shapiro (@seanshapiro) November 20, 2018
Hitchcock is very interesting hire. Is a stop gap more than long term answer. If things don’t improve this makes it easier to fire GM change in summer and new then GM can pick his head coach. #Oilers
— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) November 20, 2018