Laxdal To be Crowned Soon by Oil Kings

Word around the WHL campfire is that Derek Laxdal has taken the Oil Kings coaching job in Edmonton. My source tells me that Laxdal is in the process of hiring assistant coaches and that former Spruce Grove Saint bench boss Steve Hamilton (who was in the running for the head coach job as well) is at the top of the list. If Laxdal hasn't been hired, it seems strange that he would be mulling over candiates given to him by the team.

I thought Laxdal was going to get some consideration for one of the 3 (and soon to be more) vacant AHL jobs, and maybe he would have if he hadn't accepted the Oil Kings gig, but working for a WHL team owned by an NHL team, that has some prized prospects Coming Down the Pipe is hard to turn down.

The former Brandon Wheat King led Idaho to 48 wins last year and a ECHL title in 2007. He also was named the league's top coach last season. The job he is leaving is a good one, but the stability of the franchise is in question.

There has been no announcement yet from the Oil Kings.

I will have some more coaching news and nuggets later on, but for now it's time to play some golf...if the rain stays away.

We'll talk this subject and much more tonight from 7-9 pm mst on the TEAM 1260, or online here where you can also find a complete guest list for tonight's show.