Oilers fans angered with Gretzky after new information from insider

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Liam McCormick
July 17, 2024 (12:54)

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The Edmonton Oilers are expected to name a General Manager in the coming days, and plenty of fans are angered with one prominent candidate being floated: Keith Gretzky.

The brother of franchise icon Wayne Gretzky, Keith has been working in the Oilers front office since 2016 as director of amateur scouting, and more recently the General Manager of the Condors AHL team.

Oilers insider Jim Matheson relayed that Gretzky is a prime candidate, and plenty of fans didn't approve.

For so many reasons, Keith Gretzky should not be considered a top candidate for the Oilers GM job. The reality is that the Oilers scouting has seriously suffered under his tenure - outside of obvious draft picks - and being an AHL GM should have no bearing to the NHL. Many fans believe Gretzky is also being considered as GM just for sake of his last name, which would also be a grave mistake.

Thankfully, based on Jackson's comments it seems he's looking for a much different candidate than Gretzky - somebody with a more progressive and analytical approach. At the same time, Jackson's performance as interim GM has been so good that an internal hire wouldn't be a bad idea, if Jackson still has significant control over the team's roster moves.

The Oilers are expected to name their General Manager in the next ten days, and when they do so, they'll begin the next big task of extending Leon Draisaitl. With the right hire at GM, the Oilers could be a cup contending team years. The whole NHL watching the Oilers very closely with this hire.

Source: Jim Matheson