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The critics in Edmonton believe nothing much has changed: Steve Tambellini may have joined the Oilers as their general manager, but the former GM, Kevin Lowe, carries the clout as the NHL club's new president of hockey operations.

True enough, Lowe still holds the hammer on all personnel matters, from player trades to signings. But that doesn't mean the Oilers remain unchanged as an organization.

Adding Tambellini from the Vancouver Canucks, where he was passed over in favour of new GM Mike Gillis, gives Edmonton the kind of management depth patterned after the Stanley Cup-winning Detroit Red Wings.

With Lowe, Tambellini and Kevin Prendergast as the assistant GM, the Oilers have rebuilt a hockey side that took a serious hit when it lost Scott Howson to the Columbus Blue Jackets last year. Howson was hired as the Jackets' GM, while Rick Olczyk, the brother of former NHL player Ed Olczyk, was brought in by the Oilers as an administrative specialist with salary cap responsibilities.

Olczyk, while capable, doesn't have Howson's overall experience, and the Oilers were clear yesterday they wanted a well-rounded front office to see them into the future.

"In my estimation, and many people in hockey feel the same way, Steve's the strongest candidate in hockey at the executive level that wasn't a GM," Lowe said. "We realize there are more and more demands in this business at this level. In order to get the job done, you need many people doing it. … I'll still be involved in the hockey operations side."

Lowe, who has spent more than 25 years with the Oilers as a player, coach and administrator, has come under some fire for not getting the team into the playoffs the past two seasons. Fans have questioned his player moves and even called for his firing. By accepting the president's title, Lowe visually slips into a background position, one that will allow him to take on expanded duties under new team owner Daryl Katz.

As Edmonton's hockey-loving, pharmaceutical billionaire, Katz is interested in spreading the Rexall brand through sporting ventures. The most important is the building of a new arena in Edmonton's downtown core. Lowe will be involved in that as the Oilers pursue financial assistance through government and corporate channels.

Tambellini said talking to Lowe and Katz convinced him he was taking the right job at the right time.

"I met Daryl Katz and listening to his plans for this hockey club moving forward … big things are coming here," said Tambellini, who is believed to have received a four-year deal from the Oilers. "I'm thrilled to be a part of it."

Tambellini stressed his previous dealings with Lowe helped seal their new arrangement. The two were part of the brain trust that guided Canada to the gold medal in men's hockey at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics.

"For me, watching people in that leadership role with no ego — Bob Nicholson, Wayne Gretzky, Kevin Lowe, Pat Quinn and his coaching staff — was so impressive," insisted Tambellini. "I knew right away I could get to another level working with those people."

A native of Trail, B.C., Tambellini spent three of his 10 NHL seasons playing for the Canucks then added another 17 years as a team administrator. During that time, he worked with the likes of Quinn, Brian Burke and Dave Nonis, who was fired this spring and replaced by Gillis, a former player agent.

When Tambellini was given the chance late last week to become an NHL GM, the Canucks allowed him to leave, saying in a news release, "This is an opportunity that Steve could not pass up and we are in full support of his decision to advance his career."

"Quite frankly, when we worked together [with Team Canada] I never envisioned this happening," Lowe said of Tambellini. "But hockey is an interesting business. My favourite motto is: Expect the unexpected — and the unexpected happened in the last four to six days."

Tambellini inherits a team of rising young stars (Tom Gilbert, Sam Gagner, Andrew Cogliano) and gritty veterans (Steve Staios, Erik Cole, Ethan Moreau). Asked what he thought of the Oilers, Tambellini said he wanted to reserve judgment until after training camp but acknowledged: "I do know there's a tremendous amount of potential from our young players. This is an exciting team."

The remainder of the Oilers' front office remains unaffected. Pat LaForge is the team's president and CEO and in charge of the business side.