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Entries with the tag: Craig+MacTavish
MacTavish Joins TSN
by Paul on 09/15/09 at 10:17 AM ET
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from TSN,
TSN welcomes a new recruit to its roster with NHL coach Craig MacTavish joining the NHL ON TSN broadcast team as a guest analyst for the 2009-10 season.
MacTavish will have 25 appearances in studio, making his broadcast debut on Monday, Sept. 21 during the pre-season game featuring Pittsburgh @ Montreal at 7:30 p.m. ET on TSN2.
Filed in: NHL Media, Hockey Broadcasting | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Craig+MacTavish, TSN,
Report- MacTavish Out As Oilers Coach
by Paul on 04/15/09 at 01:55 PM ET
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from Sportsnet,
Sportsnet has learned that Craig MacTavish is done after eight years as the Edmonton Oilers head coach.
At a noon (mdt) press conference, Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini will announce that the coaching search is on in Edmonton, after the Oilers missed the playoffs this spring for the fifth time in MacTavish’s eight-year tenure.
It is believed that MacTavish stepped down from his post, and was not fired by the Oilers.
added 2:06pm, Watching the video stream of the press conference, Tambellini confirms, “Time to move forward.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Edmonton Oilers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Craig+MacTavish,
Playoffs Or MacTavish Fired?
by Paul on 04/02/09 at 08:41 AM ET
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from Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail,
Real or imagined, the belief this NHL season in the City of Champions was that Craig MacTavish’s future as head coach of the Edmonton Oilers depended upon his team making the playoffs.
The theory went something like this: The Oilers prize loyalty more than most organizations and MacTavish has, through thick and thin, been a loyal company man.
Bright, funny and schooled in the defensive aspects of hockey, he was the right man for most of his time on the job as the Oilers dealt with the challenges of operating in a financially-challenged small market. MacTavish’s tenure with the Oilers is one of the longest in the NHL, surpassed only by the Buffalo Sabres’ Lindy Ruff and the Nashville Predators’ Barry Trotz, two other NHL organizations that put stability first.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Edmonton Oilers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Craig+MacTavish,
How MacTavish Can Continue Coaching
by Paul on 02/10/09 at 05:42 AM ET
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from David Staples at the Cult of Hockey,
It would be an over-statement to say that Edmonton Oiler fans are divided over the future of Coach Craig MacTavish.
That’s not at all the case.
In recent months, a consensus has grown up among the vast majority of Oiler fans—even those most loyal to and believing in the Lowe/MacTavish regime—that the coach known as “MacT” to the fans and as “Mac” to the players is no longer doing an adequate job as coach of the Oilers.
Most fans would have had MacTavish fired by now. A minority of fans haven’t called for that, but they do need to see something in coming months to be convinced that MacTavish is the right man for next season.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Edmonton Oilers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Craig+MacTavish,
Change Might Be Good
by Alanah McGinley on 11/27/08 at 08:19 PM ET
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From Mark Spector at Sportsnet.ca,
Craig MacTavish’s job is officially on the line in Edmonton, as it appears the Oilers head coach is beginning to lose his players’ interest after eight seasons behind the bench.
But a high ranking source within the organization said Thursday that the Oilers will make a trade to try to shake up their lineup before firing their head coach, whose team has struggled out of the gate at 9-10-2 and sits in last place in the Northwest Division.
A veteran Oilers player, who requested anonymity added: “Maybe a trade, then the coach. After this long, a change might be good.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Edmonton Oilers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: craig+mactavish,
Recalling The Words Of MacTavish
by Paul on 11/18/08 at 07:44 AM ET
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from David Staples of The Cult of Hockey,
On Sept. 19, 2008, long before all the present bitterness and acrimony, coach Craig MacTavish summed up the giddy mood in Edmonton regarding his Edmonton Oilers, telling reporters it was like the days when Chris Pronger was in town. “This is the best chance we’ve had since then to win the division. I think it’s wide open and we’re going to be right there....
“We have lots of options. We’re in a good space right now. We have the personnel to have a championship-calibre team.”
A championshp-calibre team.
Talk about painting yourself into a corner.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Edmonton Oilers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Craig+MacTavish,
The Race Is On
by Paul on 11/17/08 at 02:17 PM ET
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from Mark Spector of Sportsnet,
So with both the under-achieving Flames and the disappointing Oilers set to reach the season’s quarter pole this week, the question needs to be asked: Which of Keenan and/or MacTavish will still be behind their team’s bench in January when the season hits the halfway mark?
Who gets fired first?
Keenan’s and MacTavish’s situations are far from similar, yet strangely, you could argue they are also exactly the same in a lot of areas.
Keenan is in only his second season behind the Calgary bench. MacTavish is in Year 8 in the Big E.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Craig+MacTavish, Mike+Keenan,
MacTavish Tells It Like It Is
by Paul on 10/28/08 at 04:45 PM ET
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from Gene Principe at Sportsnet,
I’ve covered the team for ten years and I don’t think I’ve ever seen such surgeon-like precision by the Oilers head coach when it comes to breaking down his team and here’s how it went.
Let’s start with scoring. “We have a soft, high risk offence”. OK then how about your defence? “We’re not going backwards as fast as we’re going forwards”.
Did you think it was another slow beginning against the Bruins? “Our starts have been horrific.” And why is that the case? “We’re trying to cut corners.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Edmonton Oilers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Craig+MacTavish,
Morning Line
by Paul on 09/18/08 at 07:56 AM ET
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“For us, the question is, how’s the development going to go? Is it going to increase incrementally? Or are we going to suffer a setback at some point with these young guys? Based on the way we finished last year, you’d think we’re going to be right there. That’s certainly our objective this year, to win the division – and I think it’s a very realistic goal.”
-Oilers coach Craig MacTavish. More from the coach from Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Edmonton Oilers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Craig+MacTavish,
MacTavish Ready To Hit The Ice
by Paul on 07/14/08 at 11:45 AM ET
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from Mike G. Morreale of NHL.com,
The 2008-09 season, which happens to be his ninth in Edmonton, MacTavish has greater expectations.
“I can’t remember a period of time over the last 15 years where we’ve been so excited heading into training camp,” he said. “We say that every year, mind you, but this year we actually mean it.”
MacTavish is especially thrilled to have defenseman Lubomir Visnovksy, acquired in a trade with the Los Angeles Kings, in the mix. He’s also looking forward to working with the Oilers’ other recent additions, including left wing Erik Cole and centers Ryan Potulny and Gilbert Brule.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Edmonton Oilers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: craig+mactavish,
MacTavish Sending a Message to His Team
by Alanah McGinley on 12/07/07 at 01:31 PM ET
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From TSN,
Hoping to send a message to his team, head coach Craig MacTavish will have a new look to his lineup tonight then the Edmonton Oilers host the St. Louis Blues.
Forwards Jarret Stoll and Raffi Torres will be watching the game from the press box, while Liam Reddox will be penciled in for his first career NHL game.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Edmonton Oilers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: craig+mactavish, edmonton+oilers, jarret+stoll, raffi+torres,
Military Night
by Paul on 11/24/07 at 08:23 AM ET
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via the Edmonton Sun,
The Hockey Night in Canada tilt with the Chicago Blackhawks is military appreciation night, with fans being encouraged to turn their seats over to service men and women in Edmonton.
So far, close to 6,000 fans have returned their tickets for use by local soldiers.
“It was an incredibly good idea and a great job by our fans giving up their tickets,” said head coach Craig MacTavish. “Seeing the fatigues in the lower bowl ... if you don’t get inspired by something like that you must not have a heart.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Edmonton Oilers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: craig+mactavish, edmonton+oilers, fans,
Oilers Plan to Rush the Net
by Alanah McGinley on 11/17/07 at 12:17 PM ET
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From the Edmonton Journal,
Dustin Penner has been setting up shop in front of the net when the Oilers have had the man advantage, but he hasn’t been able to bang one in. He has one goal in his last 10 games.
“We need those to start going in for us,” MacTavish said. “We need that efficiency around the net.”
“It’s a matter of getting more hungry for the pucks, more tenacious,” said Penner. “You just have to have the mentality that the next shot is going in, that you’re due.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Edmonton Oilers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: craig+mactavish, dustin+penner, edmonton+oilers,
Average Goaltending Won’t Get It Done In Edmonton
by Paul on 11/16/07 at 08:05 AM ET
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from the Edmonton Sun,
“It’s our job to do that, tonight I didn’t,” he said, adding he’s been fighting it a bit lately. “I’m trying to force myself to make a save, I have to relax and let the puck come to me. I’m not reading the play as well as I normally do.”
MacTavish has a team that has to rely on its goaltender, so expect him to go with the hot hand from here on in. And right now, it ain’t Roloson.
“We can’t win right now with average goaltending, I don’t think there’s many teams that can, and in my estimation tonight he was average,” said the coach.
“He’s not playing at the level that he has played. That’s obvious. But the one thing he’s got going for him is a bunch of mental toughness and a bunch of battle.”
more on the Oilers…
Filed in: NHL Teams, Edmonton Oilers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: craig+mactavish, Dwayne+Roloson, edmonton+oilers, goalies,
Oilers Meet To Get Back On Track
by Paul on 11/07/07 at 08:49 AM ET
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from the Edmonton Sun,
The Edmonton Oilers had a little heart-to-heart yesterday.
Head coach Craig MacTavish gathered the troops during practice and spoke to them for around 20 minutes.
The message was clear. They need more from everybody in order to save their sinking ship.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Edmonton Oilers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: craig+mactavish, edmonton+oilers,
Oilers Need Some Guts
by Paul on 11/04/07 at 08:35 AM ET
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from Terry Jones of the Edmonton Sun,
...But MacTavish doesn’t have enough guys with grit wearing those wimpy new Oilers uniforms.
The coach desperately needs to have some brave hearts here to ride beside the talented trio which will eventually take the Oilers from the bottom rung of the standings, where they sit this morning, to much greater heights.
The skill of Ales Hemsky, Sam Gagner and Andrew Colgliano needs to be matched with some intestinal fortitude if they’re going to be able to get the space to create the goals.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Edmonton Oilers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: craig+mactavish, edmonton+oilers,
MacTavish Says Times Have Changed
by Alanah McGinley on 10/21/07 at 03:21 AM ET
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From George Johnson at the Calgary Herald,
“Everything has changed so dramatically in the last 10 to 15 years in regards to handling players. I don’t know about Mike, but I’ve had zero success trying to make players do things. It just doesn’t work.
“You have to explain things to them now. You have to make them think what you’re trying to get across is their idea. The dictatorial days are over.
“I don’t think. There’s so much more pressure on players than before.’’ He gestured around him, to a small army of scribblers, cameras and microphones milling around. Used to be, there were half a dozen of you guys here on game day. Now there’s 20. Or more. There are appearances, community commitments.
“So much more of their time is taken away by the game. So if they show up at the rink and you suffocate them, there’s a danger of sucking the life right out of them.’’
*MacTavish coached his 500th Oilers’ game Saturday night and shares some memories of opposing coach Mike Keenan and the Battle of Alberta)
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: craig+mactavish, edmonton+oilers, mike+keenan,
Oilers Will Be A “Tough” Team To Play Against
by Paul on 09/19/07 at 07:01 AM ET
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from the Edmonton Sun,
Head coach Craig MacTavish says they’ll go the team toughness route again this year.
“Intimidation is a big part of the game, you have to have some toughness,” he said. “But we feel we have enough. Sheldon Souray is plenty tough, Matt Greene’s tough. Steve Staios will battle and fight when he has to. Zack Stortini, Ethan Moreau, Raffi Torres ... we have enough toughness.
“Do I envision having a team that’s going to be fighting guys like Boogaard every time we play them? Absolutely not. That’s the strength of his game. Why give him the ability to do what he does best? You have to be punishing on the other factions of their team, and we have plenty of guys to do that.”
more on the Oilers…
Filed in: NHL Teams, Edmonton Oilers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Craig+MacTavish, edmonton+oilers, fighting,
