The Edmonton Oilers have fired general manager Steve Tambellini, according to multiple reports. Oilers President of Hockey Operations Kevin Lowe is expected to make the announcement official at a press conference later today.
Edmonton Oilers fire general manager Steve Tambellini
After four wholly disappointing seasons, the Edmonton Oilers have fired general manager Steve Tambellini.
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Per TSN’s Bob McKenzie, Craig MacTavish will be named as the new Oilers general manager and Scott Howson will be promoted as well.
Tambellini began his front office career with the Vancouver Canucks after 553 games in the NHL, being names Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations in 1997 and then VP of Player Personnel in 1998. He would take the role of Assistant General Manager, under Dave Nonis and then Mike Gillis, before being named the General Manager of the Edmonton Oilers in July of 2008.
Under Tambellini, the Oilers have maintained a position as one of the worst teams in the NHL, finishing last in the Northwest division in each of the past three seasons. The Oilers have secured the top pick in the draft in each of the past three drafts, selecting Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Nail Yakupov, as well as signing free agent defenseman Justin Schultz last season. Despite the high amount of young talent acquired at the top of the draft, the Oilers were never able to fully build a competitive team.
The 2013 season was expected to be playoff contenders this season but inconsistent play on the ice, as well as a 5-7-1 record down the stretch have led the Oilers directly out of postseason contention once more.
Craig MacTavish was a previous coach of the Oilers from 2000 to 2009, when he was fired by Tambellini after a 38-35-9 season, just two seasons after a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals.
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