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The last we heard of Ralph Krueger in Edmonton? He was let go via Skype at the conclusion of the lockout shortened season in 2013. You remember the lockout season, yeah? Seems like yesterday. It was the one that Steve Tambellini thought they were “going for it” when they acquired Jerred Smithson at the deadline. Good times.
As @FriedgeHNIC first suggested/speculated, Ralph Krueger will indeed be named the next head coach in BUF.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) May 15, 2019
Krueger spent two seasons as an assistant coach in Edmonton before taking the Oilers to a 19-22-7 record in 2013, good for a third place finish in the Northwest Division. It wasn’t enough to get the Oilers to the dance, and he was unceremoniously terminated shortly after. The Dallas Eakins era was soon to follow, and you were all here for that.
After Krueger was let go, he became chairman of the Southampton Saints for six years. Once his contract was set to expire this year, he expressed interest in returning to the NHL. We had heard that Krueger would be more interested in a GM or a POHO role, but it sure looks like he’s about to be announced as the next coach of the Buffalo Sabres.
More recently, Ralph Krueger coached Team Europe in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. They made it to the finals where they were defeated by Team Canada in a best of three series.
WHERE DOES THIS LEAVE THE OILERS?
Dave Tippett’s name is probably the loudest out there right now. Todd Nelson is probably the next loudest. Toss a coin after that. With just 38 days until the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, the Oilers will no doubt be making a selection sooner than later.
Who will it be?