Elliotte Friedman Reveals the Real Reason Behind the Edmonton Oilers' Decision to Dismiss Head Coach Jay Woodcroft

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Julien Trekker
November 13, 2023 (11:50)

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The Oilers made the not-so-surprising decision to fire Jay Woodcroft over the weekend.

In the latest episode of his podcast 32 Thoughts, insider Elliotte Friedman gave his theory on the Oilers' decision-making process.

Friedman Reveals Why the Oilers Fired Woodcroft

Woodcroft still had two seasons left on his contract, but the Oilers' bad start pushed management to make a change.

According to Friedman, the players didn't threw Woodcroft under the bus, and Jeff Jackson, CEO of the Oilers, is behind that decision.

Here's what he said:

"I will say this until I am blue in the face, this coaching change was not about Jay Woodcroft, it was not. This coaching change was about Edmonton cannot afford a disastrous season, so what are we going to do to try to change things."

"I think at the end of the day Jeff Jackson made this call. The fact that it was Kris Knoblauch that says to me it was Jackson's call. I don't think the players overthrew Jay Woodcroft, I don't buy that."

Ken Holland to be the Next to Fall in Edmonton?

Currently going through the last season of his contract as Edmonton's GM and President of Hockey Operations, many believe this could be the end of his journey with the Oilers.

"Holland was the guy who brought in Woodcroft and there's a new sheriff in town.

We could witness a true shift in power in Edmonton's front office sooner than later.

More to come.

As seen on Hockey Feed - NHL insider reveals the real reason Jay Woodcroft was fired.