Mactavish fails to deliver on promise to do ‘bold things’
Oilers need depth to help young players, teach them how to win
When Craig MacTavish was named general manager of the Edmonton Oilers on April 15, he spoke openly about the need to be bold and change the direction and culture of the team. Many people expected the overhaul to begin this weekend, but it never came to fruition.
“I’m an impatient guy and I bring that impatience to this situation. We’re at the stage ... that we have to do some bold things,” MacTavish said during his opening press conference.
He wanted the fans to know his plan and vision for the future. His assessment of the team was accurate. Fans, media and hockey experts across the league agreed with MacTavish, and since his opening remarks everyone has been anxiously waiting to see what “bold” moves he would make.
“We have to expose ourselves to some semblance of risk to try and move the team forward in a rapid fashion,” said MacTavish. “We’ve got a lot of primary pieces here, but we’ve got to add some depth to help these young players.
“We’ve got to add competitiveness. I think we lack a true understanding of just how difficult it is to have success at this level.”
It is true, many of the young Oilers don’t know what it takes to win, and I wonder, after striking out at the NHL entry draft, if MacTavish feels that making trades is more difficult than he imagined?
MacTavish spoke openly last week that he had contacted every GM in the league. He wanted them to know he was open for business and willing to make a deal. He was hopeful talks would heat up closer to the draft; however, MacTavish wasn’t able to find a partner despite numerous conversations with Philadelphia Flyers GM Paul Holmgren. The only trades he made in New Jersey involved draft picks.
Trading the 37th pick to the Los Angeles Kings for the 57th, 88th and 96th selections and then swapping No. 57 to the St. Louis Blues for Nos. 88, 96 and 113 didn’t register on the “bold” meter. It was clear MacTavish wanted to make a deal, but in the end he couldn’t.
Reports suggested the Oilers offered Vancouver more for Cory Schneider than the New Jersey Devils’ ninth overall pick, but did anyone realistically expect the Canucks to trade a goalie to a divisional foe? MacTavish and Holmgren had numerous conversations during the last 48 hours, but both admitted afterwards they were never that close to a deal.
I believe it is way too early to suggest MacTavish hasn’t lived up to words, but after striking out in New Jersey, he has more pressure to appease his twitchy-eyed, machete-wielding fans. I understand they will be disappointed, especially when the GM proclaimed he’d make “bold” moves, but the off-season isn’t finished.
It is clear the Flyers and Oilers are interested in making a deal and I’d expect them to talk again. MacTavish can’t afford to make a trade just to conciliate his fan base. He has to make deals that improve his hockey club.
“My deal rate per spoken word is extremely low right now,” MacTavish said Sunday.
He wasn’t the only GM who couldn’t make a trade. Columbus Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen had three firstround picks and was hoping one or two of would fetch an established NHL player. He said they had numerous discussions with teams about deals, but nothing materialized.
So what’s next for MacTavish? After he throws some darts at a picture of Holmgren’s face on a dartboard, he’ll keep making phone calls. If he had facilitated a trade for defenceman Brayden Coburn, I doubt he’d sit back and relax, so his mission shouldn’t change this week.
MacTavish stated last week that if he didn’t make a trade at the draft he’d be disappointed. I’m sure he looks at this weekend as a missed opportunity, but it can’t derail his plan.
The Oilers can start talking to free agents on Wednesday, and while I don’t expect Edmonton to be in the hunt for any of the big names — Jarome Iginla, Nathan Horton and David Clarkson — MacTavish needs to sign a free-agent goalie, and some depth forwards.
MacTavish wants his young players to learn how difficult it is to have success at this level, and after this weekend, I suspect he learned just how difficult it is to make trades in the NHL.
Parting shots
❚ Anton Khudobin should be on the Oilers’ radar. He isn’t going to re-sign in Boston to be Tuuka Rask’s backup. It is obvious the Oilers want someone to push Devan Dubnyk, and Khudobin is the best fit amongst the pending unrestricted free-agent goalies. ❚ If Roberto Luongo can return as the starter in Vancouver, it is possible the Oilers could bring back Shawn Horcoff. I’d be shocked if the Oilers buy him out, so if they can’t make a trade, he’ll be their third-line centre. ❚ Ales Hemsky’s trade value likely goes up once the freeagent frenzy is over. Teams that miss out on Horton, Clarkson and Iginla will still be looking for a top-six winger. ❚ Tough weekend for rookie GMs in Edmonton. MacTavish can’t make a trade and Ed Hervey’s Eskimos got embarrassed at home. The good news for both of them is that next week likely can’t be worse.