Oilers president of hockey operations Kevin Lowe called his new general manager, Craig MacTavish, a “man of action” at today’s press conference announcing the “significant changes” in Edmonton.
MacTavish then called himself an “impatient guy” prepared to do “bold things” in order to “move the team forward in a rapid fashion.”
Translation: this summer in Edmonton could be a big one.
“The fact of the matter is, we are not where we want to be right now, nor where we should be,” said Lowe.
Lowe, at times getting defensive with reporters, said he relieved former general manager Steve Tambellini of his duties yesterday.
The Oilers also promoted former Columbus GM Scott Howson to senior vice president of hockey operations.
What kind of “bold things” MacTavish attempts will be the subject of much speculation. He said today that the club is in a position to “expose ourselves to some semblance of risk,” but when pressed for specifics, he was hesitant to say much more.
Might he trade one of his talented, young forwards -- see: Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Nail Yakupov, Jordan Eberle, and Sam Gagner -- for help in other areas?
“We would part with those assets very begrudgingly,” said MacTavish.
Kevin Lowe just said there is one guy in the game now that has won more Cups than him, "so I know a little bit about winning."
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) April 15, 2013
Lowe: "It's fair to say that half the general managers in the National Hockey League will trade their rosters for our roster right now."
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) April 15, 2013
Craig MacTavish is a great talker, which probably inspires confidence among Oilers fans right up until Kevin Lowe starts talking again.
— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) April 15, 2013