Ken Holland did not precisely say he regrets not placing Jay Woodcroft behind the Oilers bench sooner, however he is certain comfortable "Woody" is there now.
The Oilers GM spoke glowingly about his new coach Monday, as Edmonton prepares to tackle the Colorado Avalanche Tuesday night time in Recreation 1 of the Western Convention Finals.
"I do not know if we would be right here if it wasn't for the impression that Woody has had on our workforce. Actually numerous our gamers have performed at a excessive stage, however our workforce has actually responded to Woody," Holland advised reporters in his first press convention since March.
Woodcroft has solely held the highest teaching job for about 4 months, however he is not a brand new face across the rink, having served within the group for seven years.
Initially employed in 2015 as an assistant to then-head-coach Todd McLellan, Woodcroft was relieved of these duties throughout a shakeup in 2018. However as a substitute of leaving the group, he agreed to run the bench of the Oilers' AHL affiliate in Bakersfield.
"I watched over the past three years the job that he is completed creating our gamers down there. He turned that right into a profitable program," Holland mentioned.
When McLellan was fired in November 2018, Holland advised Woodcroft he did not get the job.
"I mentioned I needed to usher in a veteran coach on the time. I introduced in Dave Tippett and Woody expressed to me his wishes to develop into an NHL coach," Holland remembers.
When Tippett was fired in February, Holland mentioned hiring "Woody" was a "intestine determination."
Edmonton Oilers Normal Supervisor Ken Holland and Head Coach Jay Woodcroft communicate to reporters in Denver on Might 30, 2022 (Supply: TSN).
"We needed to ensure that everybody had a clear slate. We had been very clear in our communication of what our expectations had been," Woodcroft mentioned of taking up.
He helped pull the Oilers out of mid-season hunch and adopted that up with playoff victories over L.A. and Calgary, pushing the workforce to heights not achieved in Edmonton since 2006.
"We simply need to deal with the day's enterprise…And our perception is the outcomes will deal with themselves."
SMITH ON A 'HOMETOWN DISCOUNT'
Holland additionally gave credit score for the workforce's run to 40-year-old Mike Smith, and mentioned he is comfortable the goalie has one other 12 months left on his contract.
"I believe it is sort of a hometown low cost once you have a look at the (wage cap) quantity, $2.2 million," Holland mentioned.
Regardless of a "nagging damage" resulting in some struggles for Smith early within the season, Holland acknowledged he was "by no means frightened" about him regaining the shape he confirmed a 12 months earlier than, when Smith gained 28 common season video games and misplaced simply eight.
"When he performs, he performs at a excessive stage for us. He brings swagger, he brings confidence to our group. I believe he is one of the best puck-handling goalie of his period. He helps out our defence huge time, and it was only a matter of getting him wholesome," Holland mentioned.
The GM referenced the Oilers, and superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, "studying from disappointments" as serving to to now obtain new playoff heights.
Holland additionally mentioned bringing in veteran gamers like Duncan Keith, Cody Ceci and Brett Kulak has helped his workforce grow to be extra "mature."
Recreation 1 of the Western Convention Finals will likely be performed in Denver on Tuesday at 6 p.m. MT.
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