Todd Nelson to coach Oilers following 'transition period' under MacTavish

The Edmonton Oilers plan to ease themselves into their next regime. 

General manager Craig MacTavish announced shortly after the firing of head coach Dallas Eakins that he'll serve as the interim coach while "transitioning the coaching responsibilities" to Oklahoma City Barons boss Todd Nelson. 

Related: Dallas Eakins wasn't Edmonton's sole problem, but he was one of them.

MacTavish added Nelson will immediately jump into an assistant role before being officially handed the reins before the end of the season.

Nelson has experience with many players on the Oilers' roster, including Justin Schultz, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jordan Eberle, having coached Edmonton's AHL affiliate in each of the last four seasons.