Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
The Edmonton Oilers have made a change.
The Oilers have fired coach Dave Tippett and associate coach Jim Playfair and will move forward with Jay Woodcroft and Dave Manson running the bench.
Woodcroft had served as coach of Edmonton’s AHL affiliate in Bakersfield, with Manson serving as his assistant.
There were high hopes for the Oilers this season, especially after starting as one of the league’s hottest teams. The Oilers currently reside in fifth place in the Pacific Division and are five points back of the Calgary Flames for the second wild card spot in the playoffs.
Since Dec. 1, the Oilers have the worst record in the league at 8-13-3. Tippett’s tenure finished with a 90-60-13 record with two playoff appearances in two seasons, but couldn’t lead the team out of the first round.