It’s going to get ‘really uncomfortable’ for ‘disconnected’ Oilers
Dispirited captain Andrew Ference said he was at a loss for words after Saturday’s 5-0 defeat by the Red Wings. Head coach Dallas Eakins said his team had lost its confidence.
Defenceman Ladislav Smid, who has experienced his share of losses since 2006, said he was in shock.
“I don’t know if this is rock bottom (because) this can get worse. People are going to get traded, it’s going to get really uncomfortable for everyone now — and I don’t know if we realize that,” Smid said after the Oilers were outshot 31-14.
The Oilers have been outscored 17-2 in their last four home games, and are on another five-game losing skid.
“I’ve been through this a few times and it’s really uncomfortable,” said Smid. “I don’t think we should be in last place. We have good personnel, good guys in here, but we have to play as a team. It’s like everybody is on their own page, we’re so disconnected.
“We are not working hard enough. After two goals, we just kept our heads down. That’s unacceptable,” he continued. “It’s going to get uncomfortable, but that’s the only way to get out of this. And it has to start within the team. The coach can come in and yell and sit people in the box, but we have to make each other accountable.
“If the mistakes keep happening over and over, somebody has to stand up and tell him.”
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/edmonton-oilers/going+really+uncomfortable+disconnected/9119681/story.html