from Mark Spector of Sportsnet,

Bob Nicholson should have a mirror affixed to the podium whenever he takes questions on the Edmonton Oilers. Especially at a season ticket holder’s breakfast.

On those occasions, every answer should begin with, “That happened under my watch, so…” Every possessive should be “me” or “mine.” Never “him” or “theirs.”

It’s not the water’s fault, and you can’t blame Mikko Koskinen’s glove hand. You sure as hell shouldn’t blame third-liner Toby Rieder, even as he burrows through this goal-less, 60-game season.

It’s Bob Nicholson’s fault, because Bob Nicholson is the CEO here. He hired Peter Chiarelli, and the pro scouts have stumbled and bumbled for five years under Nicholson’s watch. He signed off on Milan Lucic’s contract, and by his own admission, Nicholson approved three years at $4.5 million for Koskinen.

And the craziest thing here? Nicholson knows all of that.

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