Oilers Coach Knoblauch admits personal feelings affected team's poor start to the season
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Photo credit: Edmonton Oilers RAW
The Edmonton Oilers got off to yet another slow start to begin the regular season this year, and now, Coach Knoblauch explained the roster was feeling some lack of motivation.
It's difficult for teams to return to square one of the 82 game campaign after losing Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, and it was a feeling the Oilers had to overcome - including Knoblauch himself.
Coach Knoblauch admits lack of motivation on Oilers roster at beginning of the season
Speaking in a interview with the Fan Hockey Show, Knoblauch said the lack of motivation from himself and the players was a real factor that perhaps affected their performance in training camp and to begin the season.
I know personally, myself getting behind the bench for those first exhibition games, didn't feel it like I was not motivated. I was not and I'm not the one putting on the equipment. I'm not the one who's on the ice battling, and I can only imagine what the players are feeling like.
- Coach Knoblauch
- Coach Knoblauch
It's surprising to hear Coach Knoblauch get so candid about the negative feelings that could affect him and the roster in the early season - they are professionals, but it's impossible to be immune to the disappointment of losing the Cup Final.
The Oilers opened this season with three straight losses, including a blowout to the Winnipeg Jets and losses to the rebuilding Blackhawks and Flames. It was clear the Oilers hadn't found their groove yet, but fans still had faith they could turn it around.
New Oilers forward Vasily Podkolzin said in a recent interview he was shocked about how poorly the team started their season, but was reassured that it was par the course for Edmonton. In his answer, he even specifically mentioned Knoblauch's steady demeanour.
I thought, "Is it after they played in the final?" And then I started looking at others, and everyone around was so calm. They told me: "Yes, we always start like that, last year it was even worse." We have a good coaching staff, the coaches are calm and self-confident.
- Vasily Podkolzin
- Vasily Podkolzin
This Oilers team is incredibly motivated to win, and of course the sting of last year's loss could bleed into this season. By now though, they've fully put it into the rear view, and are focused on the Cup opportunity in front of them this season.
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 14 | 289 ANSWERS Oilers Coach Knoblauch admits personal feelings affected team's poor start to the season Do you think the Oilers looked unmotivated at the beginning of the year? | ||
| Yes | 242 | 83.7 % |
| No | 47 | 16.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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