Might the most significant free agent signing for the Edmonton Oilers this off-season be an undersized, 51-year-old left winger from Moosomin, Saskatchewan? Could be, if the Phoenix Coyotes don’t get Dave Tippett’s name on a contract.
With much speculation about the future of Tom Renney making the rounds because he doesn’t yet have a new contract with the Oilers – rumor is he won’t get one – it’s worth noting that Tippett does not have ink done on a new deal with the Coyotes, as Jason Gregor pointed out on his show on TEAM 1260 today. Given Tippett’s resume and his record in stints behind the bench with Dallas and Phoenix, that seems odd.
If the Oilers have indeed decided not to offer Renney a new contract, as opposed to holding off on an announcement until GM Steve Tambellini’s new deal is made official, and Daryl Katz does end up in the market for a new bench boss, Tippett should be at the top of his list.
WINNING CREDENTIALS
In nine seasons as head coach in Dallas and Phoenix, Tippett has compiled a record of 401-233-28 -70 for a points-percentage of .615. In those nine seasons, Tippett’s teams have missed the playoffs just once – the 2008-09 edition of the Stars managed that, resulting in Tippett being fired and landing in the Valley of the Sun. Tippet was voted the Jack Adams Award as coach of the Year in 2010 after leading the Coyotes to a 107-point season.
There might be an NHL coach out there who has done more with less than Tippett has in Phoenix, but I’m hard-pressed to name him. Can you think of an NHL bench boss who has squeezed more out of the rosters he’s had than Tippett? Barry Trotz in Nashville, maybe? The list is short.
Might Tippett be growing weary of the uncertainty surrounding the Phoenix franchise? Might he be willing to entertain offers from teams like the Oilers? Might he be interested in plying his trade in a hockey-mad city with a roster full of young, promising players? Might he have a new deal with Phoenix in his back pocket that just hasn’t been announced?
I don’t know the answers to those questions. But if I’m Katz or Tambellini or president of hockey operations Kevin Lowe and a decision to move on from Renney has been made, I’m getting on the phone and finding out the second Tippett is officially available.
Listen to Robin Brownlee Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the Jason Gregor Show on TEAM 1260.
Tippett and Hartley are my two choices if Renney gets the axe.
and we really don’t want Tippett to end up in Calgary
I agree but Calgary’s problems go deeper than just the head coach… they have an aging core that needs to be overhauled and replaced; they have a trade-happy GM who likes to simply shuffle the deck chairs on the Titanic; and amateur scouting has delivered them little to no impact players coming up through their system.
I know that the Oilers have their problems and that Calgary is at least fighting for the potential of a playoff spot, but I really would rather be us than them right now.
doesn’t Tippett still have a year left on his deal with the Coyotes? Signed a 4 yr in 09-10 which runs through 12-13.
I apologize if this was already brought up, I didn’t get a chance to read all the responses.
I think Tippet is a great coach, no one can argue with his results, but Dallas/Phoenix are teams that play a certain style that this organization has been trying to get away from. Management has stated they want to maintain the “Oiler style” of hockey.
Whether that is relevant or not, I want to throw another name out there.
Mike Keenan. He has had success with offensive style teams, he rides his “skill” players, which with the Ebs, Hall and RNH, couldn’t be a bad thing, and he also has that fiery personality that bring some emotion back to games behind the bench.
Just wondering what folks think?
If we end up with another European player this draft definitely Krueger. I think he would understand more what causes them difficulty and be better at developing and utilizing them. Gagner, Hall, Eberle and Petry don’t need to be guided nearly as much.
And then there’s all the Euro D coming up.
While I really dislike the idea of losing Renney, if Dave Tippett gets the nod, I’m inclined to entertain some hopefulness. Him, Hitch, Babcock and Trotz all tickle my fancy.
If instead we return to MacT or give Bucky another promotions, I’m out.
I know this is not news, but something like 10 coaches have been fired this year, and many of them with better records than the Oilers. I taught Renney should have been replaced at the end of Dec/11. of this season. The team faltered badly, and have not regained much since then in the last 40 games. [ Don t blame injuries, every team hase them and some worse than Oilers.]
This guy hasnt won a think in the NHL., the only reason he got the job, because he was Tambelini’s buddy.