Oilers hire Ken Hitchcock to replace Todd McLellan

The Edmonton Oilers have named Ken Hitchcock as the replacement for fired head coach Todd McLellan, the team announced on Tuesday.

Hitchock will stay on for the rest of the season after which his status and future as head coach of the Oilers will be re-evaluated, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.

The move comes after the Oilers lost six of their last seven games. They sit five points back of the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference and three points behind the Vancouver Canucks for third place in the Pacific Division.

McLellan concludes his Oilers tenure with a record of 123-119-24 in 266 games. The Oilers have struggled since reaching the second round of the playoffs during the 2016-17 campaign, posting a 45-50-7 record since then.

Todd McLellan has this year and next left on his contract paying him $3 million per year

- Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) November 20, 2018

Hitchcock joins the team following a one-year stint with Dallas Stars last season that saw the veteran bench boss relieved of his duties after finishing three points out of a playoff spot with a 42-32-8 record.

The 66-year-old ranks third all-time in coaching wins with 823 victories during his 21-year career.

The Oilers are back in action on Tuesday when they take on the San Jose Sharks.

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