Gretzky is coming back to Edmonton. No, not that one.
Bob Mckenzie of TSN.ca tweeted that Keith Gretzky will be joining the Edmonton Oilers as assistant general manager in the near future.
Just saw some Keith Gretzky to EDM as AGM rumors. It's my understanding he will, in fact, be joining EDM in that capacity in near future.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) August 2, 2016
Gretzky isn’t just a name. The 49-year-old, brother of hockey great Wayne Gretzky, has been apart of NHL management teams since 2001. Gretzky joined the Boston Bruins organization in 2013 where he was appointed Director of Amateur Scouting for the Bruins. Current Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli is bringing in one of his former Bruins’ staffers to Edmonton. The new assistant GM just so happens to be related to the great one.
In his second year in charge of the club, Chiarelli is bringing in Gretzky to give him some more familiarity. It happens quite often after a new GM takes over. Chiarelli has done some minor restructuring of the Oilers front office this offseason, deciding not to renew the contract of analytics consultant Tyler Dellow.
The move isn’t groundbreaking, but it’s noteworthy due to Keith’s relationship with the Oilers great. Perhaps it’s a good omen to have Gretzky around as he’ll be the good luck Edmonton needs to finally turn around its rebuilt and spring into contention. Or, he’s just another assistant to help Chiarelli make bad decisions like dealing Taylor Hall. Time will tell.
