The Edmonton Oilers’ coaching discussion, search, or whatever you call it, it looks like a “clustereff.”

This morning, Frank Seravalli reported that the Edmonton Oilers sought permission to interview Bruce Cassidy, but the Vegas Golden Knights have withheld permission, which is within their rights as they are paying Cassidy. Eventually, Vegas will grant permission, but they have simply delayed it. I get why they would, considering the Oilers are one of their main division rivals.

However, the question I have is why are the Oilers asking for permission to interview Cassidy when they have a head coach under contract? Kris Knoblauch is still the head coach of the Edmonton Oilers, at least in title, but it is clear the Edmonton Oilers are now looking at other options. If it were mid-season and they were going to make a change, then I would understand speaking to the replacement before you fire the head coach, but it is the off-season. This isn’t how you go about it.

I wrote last week that it would be a mistake to repeat the same pattern as the past, which is blaming the head coach and goaltenders while excusing the lack of on-ice commitment to defending and managing the puck. Knoblauch had a down year last season, but so did many players on the team. The adage “you can’t fire the entire team, so you fire the coach” is lazy. Once again, the organization will blame the head coach and goalies for the failures of their team.

How many of you have a friend, or maybe it is you, who jumps from relationship to relationship? They outline what was wrong or lacking with their partner, without ever realizing the one constant in each of their relationships: themselves. The Oilers are that person. They keep changing coaches and goalies, and they believe they are the main cause of them not finding happiness (a Stanley Cup), but they........

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