Since April 11th, the Wheeling Nailers have experienced a public relations nightmare. On April 11th, the Nailers cancelled their game on account of unfavourable ice conditions. On April 12th, they were forced to cancel again, citing the same issue out of concern for their players. On April 20th, Michael July was traded, and last week, Nailers bench boss Mark French tendered his resignation after only six months.
On Thursday morning, Brad Drobot called it quits and joined Derek Army as the team’s assistant coach. Now, rumours are starting o surface that Nailers ownership doesn’t want to make the playoffs.
Ice Conditions
Back in September 2019, the Nailers ice system went into failure, which saw the city act fast to ensure their season could continue. Having to consider a quick fix, the City of Wheeling put in a temporary ice surface. Fast forward two years later, the Nailers are still holding games on that ice sheet. Because on persisting problems, they’ve had to cancel two games against the Fuel and the Stingrays. The city has left the team searching for answers, with a temporary fix and no permanent solution in sight.
Michael Joly
The Wheeling Nailers signed Michael Joly in November, which created some hype around the former playoff MVP. His tenure with the Nailers would be short lived, as he was traded April 20th to the Orlando Solar Bears. At the start of the 2020-21 season, Joly told the local media that he wanted to bring a championship to the league’s oldest franchise. At the time of writing, the Nailers have not won a Kelly Cup Championship. Prior to joining the Solar Bears, Joly tallied 21 points, having scored eight goals along with 13 assists. He also took the ice in three games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Wheeling’s AHL affiliate.
Head Coach Mark French Tenders Resignation
On April 21st, the Nailers announced a change in staffing after bench boss Mark French tendered his resignation. Speaking to the matter shortly after, French said it had been six months since he had last seen his family due to COVID-19. Due to the U.S.-Canada border closure, French was stuck in Wheeling and had started to feel homesick.
Under the supervision of French, the Nailers had seemed to start turning a corner, going 6-1-1 before their bench boss stepped down. The vacancy is now filled by Derek Army, who is joined on the bench by former forward Brad Drobot. Much like Wheeling’s new assistant coach, Army also played with the Nailers, amassing a total of 133 games.
Ownership Doesn’t Want To Make The Playoffs?
Speaking with a source close to the Nailers, The Puck Authority learned that the hockey club’s ownership doesn’t wanna make the postseason, as they lose money on the playoffs. The moves explained above would make sense if this was the direction the team was looking to head in. Especially when an asset is dealt and your bench boss steps down before entering the final stretch. The Nailers, with only 18 games left, appear to be in a bit of a free fall right now. Hopefully they’re able to iron things out ahead of puck drop in October, the team’s 30th season.