Oilers CEO Nicholson blames team culture for failure says, “There’s something in the water.”

In case you missed it, the Edmonton Oilers officially relieved general manager Peter Chiarelli of his duties last night, just hours after the team lost an embarrassing home decision against the league worst Detroit Red Wings.

The team made the news official earlier today but did not name an immediate replacement for the position.

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Oilers CEO Bob Nicholson spoke to the media earlier today and outlined his plan for moving forward. Nicholson’s focus is on hiring the team’s next general manager while assistant general manager Keith Gretzky assumes Chiarelli’s responsibilities in the interim.

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During his press conference Nicholson had several poignant quotes about the team’s failings, but maybe none more impactful than this:

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When pressed further about the team’s culture, character and chemistry and the management group’s tendency to hang on to the “glory days” of the 1980’s Oilers dynasty, well… let’s just say that Nicholson’s response didn’t exactly inspire confidence that things will changed.

“I hear that all the time. It’s the old guard, it’s the Oilers of the 80s that are making the decisions. That’s not true at all. Peter Chiarelli was the president and GM of this hockey team and we gave him the authority to make decisions. He brought in the majority of his own staff.”

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Sounds good right? But Nicholson followed up with this…

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“Kevin Lowe is so important to this organization. But Kevin Lowe hasn’t been in hockey operational decisions. Kevin Lowe is a leader and he’s leading us now in different parts of the organization.”

Hmm… and what about Craig MacTavish? What about failed former NHL GM Scott Howson? How big of an impact do they have on player personnel decisions?

Regardless of what’s true and what’s not true, there’s the very real perception out there that the Oilers front office staff is nothing more than a country club of former Oilers players. Again, whether or not they’re the problem for the team’s failures is irrelevant. The fact remains that public opinion is that this team will NOT be successful until Lowe, MacTavish and Nicholson himself are shown the door… but don’t hold your breath on that one, Oilers fans.