The Edmonton Oilers have been a laughing stock for a long time.
Stanley Cups are now but a distant memory for the former ‘City of Champions.’ In fact, if you’re 29 or younger, you weren’t even alive to see those triumphs. The Oilers have missed the playoffs in all but one season since 2006, failing to put together a decent team despite winning the draft lottery four times.
Not even the best player in the world has been able to save them.
It would be tragic if it wasn’t so hilarious.
See also
- Oilers name Keith Gretzky interim GM after firing Peter Chiarelli
- After all these years the Edmonton Oilers are still a laughing stock
- Ex-Canuck Kesler says he's ready to embrace a rebuild with the Ducks
The spotlight has shined extra bright on the Oilers this week, after they put Ryan Spooner (the only thing they have left to show for Jordan Eberle) on waivers on Monday and gave a generous contract extension to goaltender Mikko Koskinen on Tuesday. On Wednesday, they fired the man in charge of those decisions.
Peter Chiarelli has been relieved of his duties, after nearly four years of controversial moves, which includes trading reigning Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall.
Here’s how hockey fans outside of Edmonton reacted to the news:
*goes to Oilers Twitter account to see replies* pic.twitter.com/d6Z5aNhFO1
— Ricky (@Van_city_Nucks) January 23, 2019
— Sean (@SeanK117) January 23, 2019
I'm legit going to miss waking up every morning wondering "How is Chiarelli gonna set the Oilers back today?"
— Wyatt Arndt (@TheStanchion) January 23, 2019
Peter Chiarelli FIRED despite having helped build a first place team #Isles pic.twitter.com/y0tbrgOukF
— IslesBlog (@IslesBlog) January 23, 2019
McDavid hits post. Oilers offer post two years at $2.5 million per year.
— Rob Tychkowski (@Rob_Tychkowski) January 23, 2019
Updates GM rankings:
29. Chayka
30. Dorion
31. The poor sucker who takes the Oilers job.— Chris Conte (@ChrisConte79) January 23, 2019
Knock, knock.
Who's there?
Orange.
Orange who?
Orange you glad you're not an Oilers fan?— Ian McLaren (@iancmclaren) January 23, 2019
Iāve never seen anything as embarrassing in hockey as the 2018-2019 Edmonton Oilers and Iām a longtime Leafs fan.
— Justin Fisher (@thejustinfisher) January 23, 2019
Warm Weather ā
Winning team ā
Solid management ā
Good coach ā
Overrated mall āDonāt worry. The #Oilers are going to be a destination of choice for free agents this offseason š
— Patrick (@DudeAb1ded) January 23, 2019
When the Oilers inevitably fire Chiarelli but the same 80's alumni group is ultimately in charge pic.twitter.com/98qOJE46aH
— Andrew Berkshire (@AndrewBerkshire) January 23, 2019
Here's a list of potential GM's for the Edmonton Oilers#ThisIsOilCountry pic.twitter.com/3X7blWX8gR
— Darryl Keeping (@dkeeping) January 23, 2019
"Alright guys, we had to let Pete go. Who's up to be the next GM of the Oilers?" pic.twitter.com/j6wwqvf2jg
— birky (@b1rky) January 23, 2019
Oilers GM replacement frontrunners:
-Scott Howson
-Craig McTavish
-Pierre McGuire
-Nick Kypreos
-Dave Nonis
-Mike Milbury
-Don Cherry
-Jim Matheson
-Big Chungus
-The Arby hat from Arbyās
-Wario (is just Chiarelli but with a moustache but nobody notices)— KB (@LeBronMaclean) January 23, 2019
The Oilers should trade McDavid to Seattle for the rights to an expansion draft. Start the team over from scratch
— Alex Novet (@AlexNovet) January 23, 2019
The Oilers have lost three games in a row and don’t play again until February 2. Keith Gretzky, the brother of Wayne, will act as the team’s interim general manager until a full-time replacement is named.