The Steve Tambellini Extension Is Official

This morning the Oilers made official what we all knew was going to happen: Steve Tambellini is going to be back as the team's General Manager next season. This news, much like the firing of Tom Renney last month, shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who follows the team closely, it something we've known for months was going to happen eventually. But knowing it was going to happen doesn't make the announcement any easier to accept. Unless of course you really like selecting first overall in which case this is fantastic news.

Steve Tambellini has been the Oilers GM for four seasons and in that time has demolished a good defense, gone through three head coaches, finished last while spending to the cap, finished last on purpose, and finished next to last and then won the draft lottery. That is the sum total of his accomplishments in his four years as the man in charge of the Oilers. If you think that assessment is harsh please read the Oilers press release, it mentions nothing else from his tenure with the club other than selecting first overall because there is nothing else good to say.

There is no word yet on the length of the extension but logic would dictate that it can't possibly be for more than two years. (Logic would actually dictate that he not receive an extension at all) With the team entering year three of Rebuild 2.0 expectations will be higher this season than they have been in the past and those expectations should extend to the front office as well. If the Oilers don't make some actual gains in the standing it will be time for some changes within the management group. This has to be Tambellini's last chance. It just has to be.