Dave Tippett to team up with Flyers former head coach on Oilers’ coaching staff

While we are getting closer to an official announcement that Dave Tippett should become the new head coach of the Edmonton Oilers, a few things still need to be taken care of.

It was first believed that the announcement would be made official today after new general manager Ken Holland and Tippett completed the deal on Thursday in Vancouver, however, Bob McKenzie reported on TSN 1260 that the deal with Tippett is not finalized just yet. It is believed that “he has not agreed to terms and the process continues.”

As per @TSNBobMcKenzie on @TSN1260 radio, the deal with Tippett is not finalized yet. He has not agreed to terms and the process continues.
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) May 24, 2019

However, one important detail might already be figured out for Tippett. According to Flyers insider Sam Carchidi, the future Oilers head coach might hire former Philadelphia coach Dave Hakstol as one of his assistants.

When Dave Tippett is officially named Edmonton’s head coach, former #Flyers coach Dave Hakstol is a candidate to be named one of his assistants. Both are UND grads and are friends.
— Sam Carchidi (@BroadStBull) May 24, 2019

This could make for a strong team in Edmonton. Tippett hasn’t coached since the 2016-17 season and has been a “special advisor” to the Seattle expansion group. But he does have quite a bit of experience behind an NHL bench, spending 14 years as an NHL head coach with just two teams. That’s 1,114 NHL games and a record of 553-413-28-120.

Hakstol was let go at the end of last season by the Flyers, who have replaced him with Alain Vigneault.

It remains to be seen when the hiring of Tippett will be made officials in Edmonton. We could have the announcement on Tuesday, in between Games 1 and 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals as Holland and the Oilers do not wish to overshadow the league’s big finale between the Boston Bruins and St. Louis Blues.

After that, we could see Hakstol getting the call.