The Edmonton Oilers’ future is all about rebuilding, but it’s not just about tomorrow because the team which finished last in the NHL standings last season went back to yesteryear to find a new assistant coach. Steve Smith, who won three Stanley Cups on the Oilers blue-line in 1987, ’88 and ’90, was hired as one of head coach Tom Renney’s assistant coaches on Thursday and will look after the defence next season. Renney performed that duty last season after Charlie Huddy, now with the Dallas Stars, handled the job for years under former Oilers head coach Craig MacTavish. Smith’s previous coaching experience includes a one-season stint as an assistant with the Calgary Flames 13 years ago. The former Chicago Blackhawks pro scout will join Kelly Buchberger, who is back for a third year as an Oilers assistant — first with MacTavish and last season with Pat Quinn, who’s now the team’s senior hockey adviser. Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/Former Oiler Smith comes home/3284036/story.html#ixzz0toXDFkDn
