Kris Knoblauch’s firing has solely added extra consideration to studies connecting the Edmonton Oilers with former Vegas Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy although common supervisor Stan Bowman averted instantly addressing the hypothesis.
Edmonton formally moved on from Knoblauch after the staff’s Recreation 6 loss to the Anaheim Ducks within the opening spherical of the playoffs.
Just a few days earlier than the teaching change turned official studies surfaced claiming the Oilers had reached out to Vegas for permission to talk with Cassidy. The Golden Knights nevertheless did not approve the request as a result of Cassidy remains to be below contract.
Bowman was later requested about these studies following Knoblauch’s dismissal however declined to debate particular candidates.
“I’m not going to touch upon media studies about different candidates,” Bowman mentioned. “That’s not acceptable to be doing that.”
Bowman additionally rejected the concept that the Oilers rushed into firing Knoblauch.
“We didn’t rush by way of this. “We did an evaluation.”
He added that Edmonton solely not too long ago reached a remaining resolution and wished to talk with Kris Knoblauch in individual earlier than making the transfer official.
“It was extra of a logistical factor, you recognize, that it took till late final night time earlier than Kris and I have been capable of really sit down and discuss it by way of. So, that’s unlucky, however there was actually no disrespect. We did a protracted overview, and we didn’t come to this resolution till very not too long ago.”
Edmonton is now anticipated to start a broader teaching search though Cassidy’s identify continues to be strongly linked to the opening.
The strain across the Oilers’ subsequent rent is excessive with Connor McDavid coming into the ultimate two years of his contract. The franchise’s subsequent coach will change into the sixth head coach of the McDavid period.
Kris Knoblauch’s time with Oilers ended after an uneven 2025-26 season
Kris Knoblauch leaves the Edmonton Oilers after guiding the staff to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals throughout his quick time behind the bench. Edmonton employed Knoblauch in November 2023 after a poor begin to the season led to the firing of Jay Woodcroft.
The Oilers went from sitting close to the underside of the standings to reaching the Stanley Cup Ultimate later that season earlier than dropping Recreation 7 to the Florida Panthers. Edmonton returned to the Ultimate the subsequent yr however once more fell quick in opposition to Florida.
Kris Knoblauch later signed a three-year extension with the group, however this previous season by no means totally got here collectively for the Oilers regardless of coming into the yr with Stanley Cup expectations. The staff completed second within the Pacific Division however struggled in its personal zone for a lot of the season and allowed extra targets than some other playoff staff.
The season ended with a Recreation 6 loss to the Anaheim Geese within the opening spherical of the playoffs. Knoblauch completed with a 135-77-21 regular-season report and a 31-22 playoff report throughout his time in Edmonton.
Edited by Sonali Verma