Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl’s roles in Stan Bowman’s hiring revealed and fans are outraged!

On Wednesday, the Edmonton Oilers hired Stan Bowman as their new general manager and executive vice president of hockey operations and held a press conference to answer the many questions surrounding the GM’s return in the NHL. Along with Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville and fellow executive Al MacIsaac, Bowman was banned in 2021 from holding executive positions in the NHL after an independent investigation revealed that they had mishandled allegations of sexual assault raised by a former player, who later identified himself as Kyle Beach, regarding the team’s video coach Brad Aldrich in 2010. All three executives involved were officially reinstated by the NHL earlier this month, and Oilers and CEO of Hockey Operations Jeff Jackson knew Bowman was his guy.

When Jackson was asked about who was involved in the decision to bring Bowman on board, he explained that owner Daryl Katz and “other people in management” were involved in the process, but he did not include the players.

“I did not talk to the players.”

That’s what Jackson revealed when reporters asked about star players Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl and looping them in on a decision to hire Bowman.

I don’t like that the players, especially members of the leadership group like McDavid and Draisaitl weren’t involved. I mean they are both up for contract extensions with the club, and they don’t get a say? While I get that Bowman has worked to earn a second chance, I would want the players to have their say or at least have a heads-up and possible discussion about who is coming into the team, especially at the reins.

Fans have had a lot to say about Jackson’s comments on not looping in the players…