Coach Knoblauch explains his decisions with Connor Brown and his future on the team
As the Oilers enjoy their three-day break from the NHL schedule, head coach Kris Knoblauch sat down with Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff for a one-on-one interview.
Seravalli gave his viewers a glimpse of what goes on with the new head coach and how he's handling his new role.
Knoblock felt the Oilers had gotten away from their identity and that they had to break their losing habits to turn the season around.
During his five weeks behind the bench, the Oilers have turned it around with an 8 game-winning streak and saw much improved play on their power play and their penalty killing.
Serravalli mentioned the status of Connor Brown and that he will be a healthy scratch come Thursday's game against the San Jose Sharks. It's clear that Knoblauch is trying everything he can to get brown going as he was a key piece in the off season to help the Oilers offence.
As he states that he's been working very hard well and overcoming a major injury he sustained last year and a new injury this year. That said, Knoblauch outlined that with a few weeks experience with the job, he now has the confidence to make more decisive lineup moves, like scratching Brown if needed.
The Oilers do not have much choice as Brown has an unusual contract where he has a $3.225 million signing bonus that will be attached to the Oilers payroll next season. With his production near the basement of the NHL stats sheet and likely no takers for a trade, it seems that Brown will remain with the Oilers till the end of the season, and he may be seeing much more of the press box.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 26 | 378 ANSWERS Coach Knoblauch explains his decisions with Connor Brown and his future on the team Do you think Kris Knoblauch was the right choice for head coach ? | ||
| Yes, they have bought in | 222 | 58.7 % |
| No, Woody should still be bench boss | 156 | 41.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
