Oilers CEO Bob Nicholson says its Tobias Rieder’s fault that the Oilers aren’t a playoff team!

The Edmonton Oilers are currently slogging their way out of yet another disappointing season and heads are starting to roll. This morning, at a breakfast organized for season tickets holders, their CEO Bob Nicholson called out Tobias Rieder as one of the culprits of this disastrous season. He really threw him under the bus, explaining that the difference between the Oilers making the playoffs and not was Rieder failing to score 15 or 16 goals.

Here is the transcript of the comments he made this morning:

''Toby Rieder will not be signed by the Edmonton Oilers at the end of this year. Toby Rieder was a player other teams wanted. He came here for one year because he wanted to play with Leon Draisaitl who he plays with on the German national team. He thought if he wasn't playing with Leon he'd be playing with Connor, he'd score 15-16 goals, and instead of making two million he'd sign a four-year deal [extension] at three and a half million. Toby Rieder hasn't scored a goal. Toby Rieder has missed so many breakaways. If Toby Rieder would have scored 10 or 12 goals we'd probably be in the playoffs.''

Nicholson's comments caused quite a stir in the hockey world, so much so that he had to apologize later today. Nicholson said he ''stepped out of bounds'' at the meeting this morning, but let's be honest, what is said is said...

Here are examples of the thoughts found on Twitter relating to the incident:

''The one thing I’m disappointed in, is Nicholson threw Tobi Rieder under the bus in the breakfast. Calling out a 4th liner for being the reason for the team not making the playoffs is complete horseshit!'' (Mental Gas)

« After kicking off his comments by saying he wouldn't be throwing anyone unde) r the bus. That was brutal. My friend I went with drew a little sketch on my notepad during that screed of a moving bus with the initials "TR" under it. » (Bruce McCurdy)

Let's hope the Oilers can put all of this behind them and start thinking of next season on a more positive note.