The Edmonton Oilers have made a coaching change, but it's not the one you might have expected.
The Oilers have relieved goaltending coach Frederic Chabot of his duties and replaced him with Dustin Schwartz, the team announced Monday.
Chabot was hired by the Oilers in 2009. He played in the NHL, AHL and IHL between 1989 and 2000 before heading to Germany and Austria, where he played until 2006.
As for Schwartz's credentials, Oilers radio analyst Bob Stauffer has those details.
For those asking Dustin Schwartz has had success working with Laurent Broissot and Tristan Jarry with the Oil Kings...
— Bob Stauffer (@Bob_Stauffer) November 24, 2014
...he is from the Optimum Reaction Sports goaltending tree...played 5 seasons at U of A (2000-05) and in WHL (Medcine Hat/Red Deer)
— Bob Stauffer (@Bob_Stauffer) November 24, 2014
To my knowledge O R Sports places emphasis on goaltenders tracking the puck and economizing movement in goal
— Bob Stauffer (@Bob_Stauffer) November 24, 2014
The Oilers' 3.48 goals-against average trails only the Columbus Blue Jackets (3.55) as the worst in the NHL.
Yet the team's defense corps may be more to blame than the goaltending of Ben Scrivens and Viktor Fasth. The Oilers' defensive pairings this season have largely been comprised of Keith Aulie, Mark Fayne, Andrew Ference, Jeff Petry, rookie Martin Marincin, and Justin Schultz.
