Sorting out possible Oilers head coaching candidates

He didn’t leave Ken Hitchcock hanging.

Ken Holland’s first move after officially accepting the reins with the Edmonton Oilers was to place a call to the veteran coach in order to inform him that he won’t be invited back for another season after he was lured out of retirement a few months ago to replace the axed Todd McLellan.

In its context, making a coaching hire will be one of the less-obstructed tasks awaiting the new general manager. But while he won’t have to consider the squeeze of the salary cap or how a transaction might impact the talent dearth currently plaguing his roster, the coaching decision may be the most important one he makes in his efforts to turn the franchise around.

He suggested this much in his introductory press conference, saying it’s his No. 1 priority.

So who checks Holland’s boxes? He’s been big-game hunting before, but has also been partial and rewarded those who rose through the Detroit Red Wings’ system.

We won’t pretend to handicap it, but let’s sort some names.

The pay a premium division

Oilers ownership spared no expense in hiring Holland. This isn’t necessarily essential to fill the head coaching position, but there are obviously certain targets out there with far more leverage.

There’s a reason Dave Tippett has been out of the game for the last two seasons following his divorce with the Arizona Coyotes. He’s not waiting on a job; he’s waiting on the job that appeals most to him.

Be it in Edmonton, expansion Seattle or elsewhere, Tippett can demand a sizeable annual wage. Though not wildly successful, he has one of the most impressive resumes among free agent coaches, having achieved a measure of success in the NHL and being tabbed previously by Hockey Canada.

There are other ways to pay a premium, of course. While perhaps mostly a Toronto media construct, the Oilers would likely have to sink a significant investment into a rising coaching talent like Sheldon Keefe in order to entice him to leave after the Toronto Maple Leafs just awarded him a significant raise to remain patient as coach with the AHL Marlies.

The ‘I know a guy’ division

Many have graduated from the Red Wings’ school of coaching over the years, and Holland will most certainly tap into that resource when interviewing candidates for the Oilers.

Previously in charge of the franchise on an interim basis as well as the Red Wings’ farm affiliate in Grand Rapids, Todd Nelson will require no introduction if he is indeed up for the position, as several close to the organization have suggested.

Meanwhile, Dan Bylsma was quietly brought into Detroit to serve under Jeff Blashill several seasons after his failed run with the Buffalo Sabres. Holland witnessed first-hand how Bylsma can help influence a turnaround back in 2009, when after a mid-season coaching change the Pittsburgh Penguins beat Detroit in the Stanley Cup final.

Then there’s one more connection deep down the line, but one with more experience specific to the Oilers. Jay Woodcroft followed McLellan from Detroit to San Jose and then to Edmonton, but separated himself from the since-dismissed coach last spring when he accepted the organization’s AHL head coaching position in Bakersfield. Coaching in the Calder Cup playoffs after a strong season helping develop the team’s prospects, Woodcroft will have the chance to demonstrate his abilities for as long as the Condors’ run lasts.

The stoke Hockey Twitter division

Holland did not deliver the same instructions to assistants Glen Gulutzan and Trent Yawney as he did with Hitchcock. So perhaps the two assistants brought in last summer to support McLellan have a chance to interview for the gig — or at least stay on.

In the absence of hiring, say, a Randy Carlyle, sticking with something that even resembles the status quo would have to be considered the biggest failure from an optics standpoint alone. Holland was brought in to deliver change, and must do it to satisfy the masses.

The satisfy McDavid at all costs division

It’s been reported that Holland’s hiring received the all-important stamp of approval from Connor McDavid. Would adding his old junior coach satisfy him further?

The Philadelphia Flyers’ decision to let McDavid’s former OHL coach Kris Knoblauch walk when filling out Alain Vigneault’s staff (with two questionable hires) should have caught the attention of the Oilers’ front office.

The hot coaching candidate division

The Oilers came knocking on Hitchcock’s door hoping that the veteran coach could implement a system that would help them stop bleeding scoring chances.

While not the long-term fit, perhaps the Oilers were on to something — at least in terms of style.

Two assistants in particular have been lauded for their efforts in organizing a working defensive structure, and should be of particular interest to the Oilers. Brad Shaw has done a tremendous job designing the Columbus Blue Jackets’ back end, while Luke Richardson unlocked the puck-moving potential on the Montreal defense corps, helping facilitate its surprise season.

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