Edmonton Oilers assistant coach Craig Simpson has left the team to head back to the broadcast boost with Hockey Night in Canada. He'll be a part of the 'A' team with Jim Hughson, relieving dinosaurs Bob Cole and Harry Neale of their prime duties. While this doesn't seem like much of a transaction of note, Oilers fans have some reason to rejoice.Is Simpson a bad guy? A jerk? Hardly. Simpson is one of the nicest guys in hockey, and his good looks and verbosity translate well onto the small screen.
The reason Oilers fans will hold a keg party is that Simpson was responsible for running the Oilers Power Play into the ground with his constant tinkering and mind-boggling decision making.
The boys at Covered in Oil are celebrating this departure as only Oilers fans can: with a heavy dose of snark and derision.
This is, of course, double-plus-good news, as it means that (1) Simpson will now permanently be at least 100 yards away from the Oilers power play unit and only able to comment on how he wishes the forwards would stop moving around so much and just feed the puck to the point for the wild slapshot one more time; and (2) Canadians will no longer be primarily subjected to Bob Cole's mildly retarded, "He passes to the man and boom goes the dynamite," calibre of game-calling.
Personnel issues aside, the Oilers Power Play was less effective than Britney Spears' parenting.
Last season, the Oilers finished in 27th place with a putrid 14.2% success rate. The media was all over the Oilers for their lack of offensive firepower, and the lack of PP Prowess ultimately cost the Oilers a playoff spot. I'd say the Oilers looked like a bunch of headless chickens, but that would be an insult to decapitated poultry.
Although Simpson might not be a great bench boss, Simpson is one of the rising stars in the hockey broadcast community. Together with his sister, Christine Simpson, Craig will be a face you will get to know and love for many years to come. Consider this a good move for both hockey fans and the Oilers.
