Listless Oilers try to get it right after public blistering from Hitchcock
Ken Hitchcock’s message to the players came through loud and clear.
They didn’t like hearing it, and they definitely disagree with the part about a lack of commitment, but they understand the frustration level and admit feeling some of it themselves.
No, things are not especially chipper around the Edmonton Oilers these days, nor should they be after the team lost 11 of its last 13 at home and 16 of its last 22 overall to fall six points out of a fast-fading wild card spot.
Two days after the head coach unloaded both barrels in a postgame media conference following a lifeless 5-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks, the players returned to practice Monday, his words still resonating in the dressing room.
“He’s the coach, essentially he can say whatever he wants,” said winger Leon Draisaitl. “If he thinks that we weren’t good enough, which we weren’t, clearly, it’s his right to say that. Obviously we weren’t good enough.”
“I’m sure he was just fired up, caught in the moment,” added defenceman Darnell Nurse. “Obviously you never want to hear something like (commitment) come into question, especially from someone who is one of our leaders.”
The part that echoed loudest was Hitchcock saying, “at this time of year the coaches can’t want it more than the players.”
He amended the comment Monday to say he was talking about a willingness to fully accept and carry out a hardchecking style, not the will to win.
Either way, the players respectfully submit that nobody cares about winning and getting to the post-season more than they do.
“You never want to hear your coach say that,” said Zack Kassian. “We clearly want it. Whoever was around for the playoff run two years ago, that’s what we live for, that’s what we love to play for. That’s the best time in hockey. What’s the point in playing 82 games if you don’t get in the playoffs? We want it.
“We’re just making mental errors that are costing us. Up in our lineup, down in the lineup, collectively everyone needs better no matter who you are.”
Having said all that, the players understand where Hitchcock’s frustration is coming from. They feel it, too. This isn’t a strong roster, that’s why the GM got fired, but they should still be better than they are.
“I can speak for everyone in our room,” said Nurse. “We all want to make this something special. We all have that passion and that drive. Some nights aren’t going to go the way you want, and that’s happened a little too often this year, but everyone cares about this team and the opportunity we have in front of us. We have to be better, no question about it.”
The Oilers saw a lot of the good cop in the early days of the Hitchcock tenure, now they’re getting a sense of the legendary bad cop. It’s a transition most of the coaches in Edmonton (eight of them in 10 years) have undergone at one point or another. Hitchcock can play it harder than most, though.
“He definitely has more of an old-school approach in motivation and teaching, he’s kind of like a football coach,” said Nurse, who sees a lot of similarities between Hitchcock and the men who coached his uncle (Eagles QB Donovan McNabb) and father Richard, who played 103 games with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
“I grew up in that environment. They’re just hard. That’s how he is. For us, he’s made some points that make a lot of sense. We need to be better out there. It’s as simple at that.”
Hitchcock knew before he even made his comments Saturday that they would strike a nerve, but reminds everyone that these are thick-skinned professional athletes we’re talking about, not delicate flowers who might never recover from a scolding.
It was harsh, and a lot of it was deserved, but the focus now is on Wednesday in Pittsburgh.
“It is what it is,” he said. “You have to get your hands dirty every day and you’re going to make mistakes. It’s an emotional sport, it’s not like we’re shopping at the mall. Understand that.
“Sometimes I say the wrong thing or the player says the wrong thing or sometimes it doesn’t work out, but you come back to work and you just keep going.”
The bottom line is they all want the same thing — wins — and they haven’t been coming fast enough to save this season.
“I know the players are frustrated and we’re frustrated,” said Hitchcock.
“It’s a roll up your sleeves, get your hands dirty message. You’re going to make mistakes along the way. It’s not going to turn overnight.
“You don’t get this formula changed overnight.”