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Forward Leon Draisaitl says the Edmonton Oilers are open to the new voice of Jay Woodcroft after he replaced Dave Tippett as head coach.
The Oilers, 33/1 to win the Stanley Cup in 2021/22, promoted 45-year-old Woodcroft from Edmonton's farm-team in the American Hockey League, Bakersfield on Thursday following the firing of 60-year-old Tippett.
The Oilers began the season well under Tippett (16-5-0) but then went 7-13-3 falling to fifth in the Pacific Division.
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Tippett was 95-62-14 in three seasons with the Oilers and 1-7 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs after he was hired in May 2019.
Edmonton went into the All-Star break on the back of five straight wins, but came back to lose to the Vegas Golden Knights and Chicago Blackhawks, being outscored 8-1 which signalled the end for Tippett.
Woodcroft has been the coach for Bakersfield for four seasons after being the assistant coach in Edmonton (2015-18) for the San Jose Sharks (2008-15). He was also on the coaching staff for the Detroit Red Wings for three seasons from 2005-08 and won the Stanley Cup in 2008.
Draisaitl grabbed the NHL lead for points with an assist in a 3-1 win for the Oilers in Woodcroft's first game on Friday.
He said to the media about Woodcroft: "Sometimes a new voice, a different view of certain things can give you a big spark. We've got open ears and we're ready to go."
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