Apr 4, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Edmonton Oilers head coach Dallas Eakins talks with his players during the third period against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Craig Ramsey Now Oilers Assistant Coach
Craig Ramsey came to the Boston Bruins as an assistant coach in 2006-2007 year, and the next four years saw the Bruins find success, making the playoffs every season and finishing at first place in the 2008-2009 Eastern Conference.
In 2010, Ramsey became the Atlanta Thrashers head coach, but following a tough spell, he was relieved of his duties. He then moved onto the Florida Panthers as an assistant before getting the ax there in Nov. 2013.
But the 63-year-old will have another chance to impress, this time coming from the Edmonton Oilers, who finished at dead last place in the Western Conference. Yesterday, the Associated Press reported that he signed to be an assistant coach under current head coach Dallas Eakins for the coming season. Kelly Buchberger, who served as the Oilers’ assistant this past year, was reassigned within the organization, opening up this spot for Ramsey.
Even though he may not have the most disciplined team, the former Buffalo Sabres’ winger will have a great deal of young talent available to cultivate and mature. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Jordan Eberle, and Taylor Hall all have great upside and are exciting to watch when they’re firing on all cylinders.
It’s just hard to expect a lot out of an coach when you’re arriving at teams that have been struggling, and a solid amount of blame is often heaved onto the coaching staff. Sometimes, the pieces just don’t add up, and that’s just the way things work out. Fortunately for Craig Ramsey, he continues to gather a good amount of attention as an AC, partly because he was a member of the “on-the-ups” Bruins squad.
We’ll see how Edmonton fares this year. Regardless of who’s behind the bench, the Oilers have more to offer than being a third-to-last place group, if not now, certainly in the future.