Following two consecutive dramatic final losses and a disappointing postseason this spring, Kris Knoblauch is out.
Leon Draisaitl and the Edmonton Oilers are making another attempt at the coveted Stanley Cup with a new head coach. The Canadian NHL franchise parted ways with head coach Kris Knoblauch after three seasons; assistant coach Mark Stuart will also depart. The Oilers announced this on Thursday. «After a thorough analysis of last season, we believe these changes are necessary,» said General Manager Stan Bowman.
Under the 47-year-old Canadian, the Oilers suffered dramatic final series losses to the Florida Panthers in both 2024 and 2025. This season, the playoff journey for Draisaitl, Canada’s superstar Connor McDavid, and their teammates ended in the first round against the Anaheim Ducks. Knoblauch had only signed a new three-year contract extension through 2029 last October.
Oilers Focus on Jon Cooper and Bruce Cassidy
Superstar McDavid had caused some stir during the season when he expressed his admiration for Jon Cooper, the coach of league rival Tampa Bay Lightning. Cooper had coached the Canadian national team at the Four Nations Tournament and the Olympic Games in Milan.
However, according to ESPN, Bruce Cassidy, who was dismissed late in the season by the Vegas Golden Knights, is the primary focus. The Oilers are working on obtaining permission to negotiate with Cassidy, as he remains on his former club’s payroll.
The Oilers, the dominant NHL team of the 1980s during the Wayne Gretzky era, are waiting for their sixth championship after a 36-year drought.