Accomplishments as Oilers’ Coach
Jay Woodcroft took over as interim head coach of the Edmonton Oilers in February 2022, after head coach Dave Tippett was fired. Under Woodcroft’s leadership, the Oilers went on a 26-9-3 run, helping them qualify for the playoffs. In the playoffs, the Oilers defeated the Los Angeles Kings in seven games and the Calgary Flames in five games before losing to the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference Finals.
Speculation and Rumors
Despite his success with the Oilers, Woodcroft has not yet been hired as a head coach by any other NHL team. There have been several rumors circulating about why this might be the case.
* Some have speculated that Woodcroft is too inexperienced to be a head coach in the NHL. Woodcroft only has one full season of NHL head coaching experience, and he has never been a head coach in any other league.
* Others have suggested that Woodcroft’s lack of success in the playoffs could be a factor. The Oilers were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs in Woodcroft’s only season as head coach.
* Finally, it is possible that Woodcroft is simply not the right fit for any of the teams that are currently looking for a head coach.
Potential Landing Spots
There are a few teams that could potentially be a good fit for Woodcroft. The Chicago Blackhawks, for example, are in need of a new head coach after firing Jeremy Colliton in November 2021. The Blackhawks are a rebuilding team, and Woodcroft could be a good fit to lead them through that process.
Another potential landing spot for Woodcroft is the Vancouver Canucks. The Canucks fired head coach Bruce Boudreau in December 2022, and they are currently in the midst of a rebuild. Woodcroft could be a good fit to lead the Canucks through that process as well.
Conclusion
It is still unclear why Jay Woodcroft has not yet secured an NHL coaching position. However, there are several possible explanations, including his lack of experience, his lack of success in the playoffs, and his poor fit for the teams that are currently looking for a head coach.
Despite these factors, Woodcroft is still a talented coach with a bright future. He has shown that he can win in the NHL, and he is likely to get another chance to be a head coach in the future.
Kind regards R. Bauer.
