Oilers fans mock CEO Nicholson with “Let’s go, Rieder!” chant

In case you somehow missed it, Edmonton Oilers CEO Bob Nicholson ignited a firestorm of criticism last week when he, for some reason, put the blame for his team’s wasted season at the feet of forward Tobias Rieder.

Wait… what?!

Exactly.

Check out this statement from Nicholson made at an Oilers season ticket holders meeting regarding Rieder:

"Toby Rieder will not be signed by the Edmonton Oilers at the end of this year," he said. "Toby was a player that other teams wanted. He came here for one year because he wanted to play with , who he plays with on the German national team. He thought if he wasn't playing with Leon he'd be playing with Connor (McDavid), he'd score 15-16 goals, and instead of making $2 million he'd sign a four-year deal [extension] at $3.5 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."

So the Oilers will miss the playoffs because of… Toby Rieder? Okay then…

Afterward Nicholson apologized to Rieder for his comments, but too little, too late. The damage had been done.

"You kind of can't believe it," Rieder told reporters. "I feel like it's disappointing and I'm offended by it. I'm the first one to admit I haven't had a good year. It went a little too far and (Nicholson) knows that ... I thought the timing was a bit weird, we're still fighting for the playoffs ... I'm still going to do my best."

Again, Nicholson apologized but this certainly doesn’t cast him in a good light. Even worse? The hometown Oilers crowd got behind Rieder last night with a rousing, “Let’s go, Rieder!” chant.

Check it out: