EDMONTON – Edmonton Oilers owner Daryl Katz posted a letter to Oilers fans on Monday, addressing the team’s performance this season.
“We all thought this was going to be the year the Oilers turned the corner,” the letter, posted on the Oilers website at 1 p.m., begins.
“Obviously, that hasn’t happened, and it hurts. It’s frustrating – for all of us. For our fans, for our players and staff, and for everyone in our community who shares a common bond around a game, a team and a city that we love.
“I know this will almost certainly be the eighth consecutive year since we made the playoffs. I hate that fact as much as anyone, but the reality is that this is only year four of the rebuild that started when we drafted Taylor Hall. The good news, if you can call it that, is that other teams that committed to fundamental rebuilds went through the same kind of droughts over the same kind of time frames, or longer. That doesn’t make it fun for anyone; it just means we have to stay the course.”
Click here to read the full letter.
The post went on to describe the team’s rebuilding efforts, mentioning scouting and coaching changes to recent trades.
The letter also addressed recent criticism of the team’s management staff.
“I hear a lot from fans about accountability, so let’s be clear. We are all accountable. That includes me, Kevin, Craig, Dallas, every player who wears our jersey, and every member of our staff. I know Kevin is the target of a lot of personal attacks right now, and that’s really unfortunate. Kevin is a big part of our organization, and it’s not just the Oilers that value his knowledge and perspective. He is consistently chosen, year after year, to play a leadership role with Hockey Canada. But when it comes down to it, this is Craig MacTavish’s team. He is the GM. He makes the calls, and he is accountable for building a team that can compete for the Stanley Cup — year in and year out for years to come.”
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The letter ended by directly addressing fans’ support and their concerns.
“Our fans have been incredibly patient and supportive. At the same time, we know there’s a lot of frustration and we are asking you to hang in there while we fight through this and put the next few pieces of the team in place,” Katz wrote.
“We value our fans, we hear you, and we appreciate your support.”
Within one hour, the post has received more than 100 comments.
“This letter doesn’t address the fact that the management of this organization has failed in so many ways,” wrote Cichlasoma Festae. “In any other business Lowe would have been fired already.”
“A fan is a fan,” countered Shelli-Ann Bolton. “I have been a fan for 35 yrs, some of you don’t sound like fans at all. Have faith, Oilers fans are rare … I believe and always will, because I am 100 % a Oiler fan no matter what happens.”
“Classy letter even if it is understandably biased,” wrote Brian Hamilton. “I’m pleased he reached out at least. I’d like to say I feel better about the Oilers because of Katz’s ‘explanation/pep talk’ but frankly, I do not. I’ll be an Oiler fan forever, but I can barely watch them these days.”
Hockey fans were also responding through Twitter.
https://twitter.com/NutzGrubner/status/425374680405393409
https://twitter.com/PaulaYamniuk/status/425371163707973632
https://twitter.com/Luretime/status/425364715095601152
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