Report: Oilers’ coaching search down to 3 candidates

From the moment Ken Holland was introduced as the general manager of the Edmonton Oilers, he’s had to field daily questions about his team’s head coaching vacancy. Holland and Oilers CEO Bob Nicholson have both confirmed that Ken Hitchcock will NOT be back behind the bench with the Oilers in 2019-20, but who will?

With top candidates like Joel Quenneville and Alain Vigneault now off the market, who’s left for the Oilers to consider?

According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, former Dallas Stars and Arizona Coyotes head coach Dave Tippett is in the mix, which is interesting given his history of being a “defensive minded” coach. With high octane offensive forwards like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl at his disposal, it’ll be interesting to see if Tippett loosens the reigns a bit.

Also in the mix, according to Friedman, are Toronto Maple Leafs assistant coach D.J. Smith and Stars assistant coach Todd Nelson. Nelson, Oilers fan will remember was the Oilers interim head coach in 2014-15 following the firing of Dallas Eakins.

Tippett is the favourite in the Alberta capital, with Smith and Dallas assistant Todd Nelson also possibilities. - Elliotte Friedman

Interestingly enough, Eakins is thought to be in line to get the vacant head coaching job with the Anaheim Ducks this offseason.