“I feel like it’s disappointing and I’m offended by it... It’s been hard but I’m still going out there and giving 100 per cent every time I’m on the ice every game and try to help the team win.”
“I promised I’d talk until all the questions were done. I don’t look back on that in a negative way,” Nicholson told Spector Thursday night ahead of the Oilers’ game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. “But where I got offside in my comment is that Toby wouldn’t be here next year. That, if he would have scored 12 or 15 goals, we’d be in the playoffs. That’s wrong for me to say that.”
Bob Nicholson reached out to Toby Rieder again today. Apologized in person. Also apologized to the Oilers’ leadership group to admit his fault.Rieder, 26, signed a one-year, $2-million deal with Edmonton last summer. The German-born winger was coming off a 12-goal campaign at the time, split between the Arizona Coyotes and Los Angeles Kings, and his deal with the Oilers was deemed a smart signing for a team looking to complement its stars with scoring depth.
“It was tough to read that somebody got singled out like that and kind of thrown under the bus but it is what it is now,” Rieder said. “I’m not proud of the season I’m having and like I said, I’m the first one to admit that I’m not playing to my capabilities. I think it went a little too far and I think Bob knows that too.”
Of course, it’s not just Rieder who has been struggling offensively this year. The Oilers as a whole have not lived up to expectations. The club ranks 20th in goals scored this season and have a goal differential of minus-35. Though not yet ruled out of the playoffs with a current record of 33-34-7, the Oilers have a tough road ahead if they’re to sneak into the picture.
“I thought the timing was a bit weird, we’re still in the race for the playoffs,” Rieder said of Nicholson’s comments. “I’m still going to go out there and play my heart out and play for the guys and my friends in the locker room and do my best to help the team win.”
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Insider Trading: Nicholson regrets Rieder comments - TSN.caTSN Hockey Insiders Darren Dreger, Bob McKenzie and Pierre LeBrun joined host James Duthie to discuss Edmonton Oiler's CEO Bob Nicholson's comments about Tobias Rieder, the Hunters at the World Juniors and why the NHL playoff format is likely to stay for at least one more season.
Read more »
Rieder gaffe won’t define Nicholson’s time with Oilers - Sportsnet.caEdmonton Oilers CEO Bob Nicholson knows that calling out Toby Rieder was dumb. But it was momentary dumb, and that's why it won't completely define his tenure with the Oilers.
Read more »
Nicholson’s Rieder gaffe won’t define his time with Oilers - Sportsnet.caEdmonton Oilers CEO Bob Nicholson knows that calling out Toby Rieder was dumb. But it was momentary dumb, and that's why it won't completely define his tenure with the Oilers.
Read more »
Rieder found it tough to be thrown under the bus
Read more »
Rishaug: On one hand Rieder was forgiving, on the other blunt about disappointmentTSN Oilers reporter Ryan Rishaug weighs in on Tobias Rieder's reaction to critical comments made by Oilers CEO Bob Nicholson and discusses how much heat, if any, Nicholson is taking for speaking out.
Read more »
Rieder's agent calls Nicholson's comments 'unacceptable' - TSN.caDarren Farris, the agent representing Tobias Rieder, has responded to Edmonton Oilers CEO Bob Nicholson's remarks made at a breakfast to season ticket holders as 'callous and reckless'.
Read more »
Rieder gaffe won’t define Nicholson’s time with Oilers - Sportsnet.caEdmonton Oilers CEO Bob Nicholson knows that calling out Toby Rieder was dumb. But it was momentary dumb, and that's why it won't completely define his tenure with the Oilers.
Read more »
Nicholson’s Rieder gaffe won’t define his time with Oilers - Sportsnet.caEdmonton Oilers CEO Bob Nicholson knows that calling out Toby Rieder was dumb. But it was momentary dumb, and that's why it won't completely define his tenure with the Oilers.
Read more »
McDavid's two points lead Oilers past Blue Jackets - Sportsnet.caConnor McDavid had a goal and an assist and Leon Draisaitl had three assists as the Edmonton Oilers emerged with a 4-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday.
Read more »