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Oilers to hire Todd McLellan, per report

By Matt Verderame

Jan 6, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; San Jose Sharks head coach Todd McLellan looks on during the second period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Sharks defeated 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 6, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; San Jose Sharks head coach Todd McLellan looks on during the second period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Sharks defeated 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Edmonton Oilers are on the verge of hiring Todd McLellan as their next head coach, according to Sportsnet. Despite the Oilers being a rancid dumpster fire over the last five years, Edmonton’s vacancy is a very attractive position. The Oilers have the top-overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft and will likely take forward Connor McDavid.

McLennan is an experienced coach who spent seven years behind the bench with the San Jose Sharks. In those campaigns, McLennan’s team registered over 100 points four times, reaching the playoffs every year except this campaign. In the regular season, McLennan’s overall record was 311-163-6. However, McLennan’s teams always disappointed in the playoffs, failing to reach the Stanley Cup Finals. In 2014, San Jose had a 3-0 lead on the Los Angeles Kings in the Western Conference quarterfinals, only to see Los Angeles storm back and win the series.

McLennan also played in the National Hockey League for three seasons as a member of the New York Islanders from 1987-89. Coming to Edmonton, McLennan can bring his experience both on the ice and on the bench, something the young team desperately needs. The Oilers are not without talent, especially in the forward ranks. Edmonton already has a trio of top-overall selections on the roster in Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Taylor Hall and Nail Yakupov.

In the Pacific Division, Edmonton is looking up at some serious heavyweights. The Anaheim Ducks are the conference’s best team, along with playoff teams in the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames. The Kings also remain dangerous. In 2014-15, Edmonton finished with 62 points, only better than the Buffalo Sabres and Arizona Coyotes.

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    • The Oilers have not made the playoffs in each of the previous nine seasons. The last time Edmonton made the playoffs, defenseman Chris Pronger was the captain and leading an underdog eighth seed to the Stanley Cup Finals. However, the Oilers fell to the Carolina Hurricanes in seven games.

    It’s hard to imagine now, but the Oilers were once the class of the NHL. In the 1980’s, Edmonton had perhaps the most powerful lineup in history back then, boasting Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Glenn Anderson, Paul Coffey and Juri Kerry. From 1984-1991, the Oilers won five Stanley Cups.

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