The Edmonton Oilers boast the best player in the world in Connor McDavid and a top-10 talent in Leon Draisaitl, but the organization remains far from the NHL's flagship status. With a revolving door of head coaches every couple of years, dysfunction has become a defining characteristic. Kris Knoblauch has now joined the ranks of fired coaches, receiving approximately $7.5 million to walk away from owner Daryl Katz. While he won't be collecting food stamps, the constant cycle of firings, press releases, and introductions of new bench bosses has drawn eye rolls across the league.
Coaching Carousel Continues
Knoblauch's dismissal adds to a growing list that includes Todd McLellan, Ken Hitchcock, Dave Tippett, and Jay Woodcroft. Hitchcock's tenure was always seen as a short-term circle-of-life coaching stint, ending his career in his hometown as a longtime Oilers fan. But the others? McDavid, Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Darnell Nurse—the longest-serving Oilers—are desperate to win a Stanley Cup, but how many coaches can they cycle through?
Knoblauch's Achievements Overlooked
As a former Oilers coach noted upon hearing of Knoblauch's departure, "He did coach the team to two Cup finals in three years." In today's NHL, where parity reigns, that is admirable. Yet the Oilers remain impatient, with the clock ticking on McDavid's future—whether he signs a long-term deal or departs if the team fails to win or at least reach the Cup Final by June 2027.
In many ways, the Oilers are the anti-Carolina Hurricanes. The Hurricanes haven't won a Cup under Rod Brind'Amour in eight years, but he still has his job after one first-round exit, three second-round exits, and three third-round appearances. Brind'Amour hasn't even reached a Cup Final, unlike Knoblauch, who lost to Florida in seven games in 2024 and six in 2025. Yet Brind'Amour is valued; Knoblauch was not.
Bowman on Stability
GM Stan Bowman, who signed Knoblauch to a three-year extension last fall only to fire him before it began, acknowledges the importance of stability. "I think continuity is good for sure," Bowman said. "Usually where there's continuity there's success, and we have had that here and recently … before that, I can't speak to that as much." He added, "It's a fair point that stability is a good thing and that's what we have in mind with whomever we choose to come in here. We hope it's a long relationship. That's the goal."
However, actions speak louder than words. The Oilers' pattern suggests otherwise, as they continue to search for answers while their superstars' prime years tick away. Accountability must extend throughout the lineup, from players to management, if the Oilers are to break this cycle.
