from David Staples of the Edmonton Journal,

Is Dave Tippett putting the heat on his Edmonton Oilers players? Or is the heat on him?

Only owner Daryl Katz and GM Ken Holland know the answer to that second question. For all my efforts, I cannot read the mind of either man.

But it’s evident Tippett is now upping the heat on some of his players, including star attacker Leon Draisaitl.

Playoff success lacking

Tippett is in the final year of a deal that pays him about $3.0 million per. He’s also seen his Oilers flame out twice, big time, in the Stanley Cup playoffs, losing in four games to the Chicago Blackhawks in 2020 and in four games to the Winnipeg Jets in 2021.

Tippett’s playoff record with the Oilers is one win and seven losses.

If Edmonton does not do better in the playoffs this year, it’s easy to imagine the Oilers going in a new direction at head coach. That doesn’t mean the Oilers have to win the Stanley Cup this year.

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