Despite Woodcroft having two seasons left on his contract, the Oilers' disappointing start to the season compelled the management to make a change.
According to Friedman, the players didn't scapegoat Woodcroft, and the driving force behind this decision was Jeff Jackson, the CEO of the Oilers.
Friedman had this to say:
"I will say this until I am blue in the face, this coaching change was not about Jay Woodcroft, it was not. This coaching change was about Edmonton cannot afford a disastrous season, so what are we going to do to try to change things."
"I think at the end of the day Jeff Jackson made this call. The fact that it was Kris Knoblauch that says to me it was Jackson's call. I don't think the players overthrew Jay Woodcroft, I don't buy that."
Could Ken Holland Be the Next One on to be Let Go in Edmonton?
As Ken Holland, the current GM and President of Hockey Operations for Edmonton, goes through the final season of his contract, many speculate that this could mark the end of his tenure with the Oilers.
"Holland was the guy who brought in Woodcroft and there's a new sheriff in town.
We might be on the verge of witnessing a significant shift in power within Edmonton's front office, and there could be more developments on the horizon.
