Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid comments highlight NHL coaching issues after Tampa Bay Lightning loss

Inconsistency in the current NHL season of the Edmonton Oilers has become a new issue with their structure and performance as a whole. The team has not been able to perform consistently, even against the best of the best, although it has its elite talent.

The pressure has also been compounded recently by a series of losses in the midst of the team being expected to make a deep run into the playoffs. As the scrutiny has been growing with regard to tactics and preparation, it has now shifted to what could be happening behind the bench instead of what may be happening on the ice.

Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid reacts after loss in NHL game against Tampa Bay Lightning

After a bitter defeat against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the words of Connor McDavid attracted a lot of negative publicity in the league. As he commended the structure and discipline of the opposition, he indicated the difference in performance between the two teams in a very subtle way.

McDavid pointed out the fact that Tampa Bay looked very well organized with their systematic rehearsal and their capability to remain the same during the course of the game. His statements implied praise, but implicitly raised questions as to the very structure of Edmonton.

Upon being questioned about how the Oilers would get there, McDavid changed the subject to coaching, and thus, such gains would fall within the scope of coaching. The response was indirectly showing hidden pain in the locker room, albeit through measures.

This has not been the first occasion when the concerns have come up. Leon Draisaitl, another star in the team, had also challenged the direction of the team earlier in the season, which also contributed to the theory that there were internal differences.

Head coach Kris Knoblauch is now under a lot of pressure as the criticism mounts. Although the performance of players is an element, the limelight is slowly switching to tactics and the deployment of players.

The capacity of the Oilers to react to these problems will play a key role as the NHL season continues. The next few weeks may either be a characterization of their playoff course by either modifications made on the ice or behind the bench.


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