Edmonton, Alberta – The Edmonton Oilers have terminated the coaching tenure of Kris Knoblauch, just weeks after a disappointing first-round playoff elimination. The move comes despite Knoblauch having guided the team to two consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearances in the preceding seasons. Assistant coach Mark Stuart was also let go.
The team cited a need for change following a season that saw them finish with 93 points, good for second in a reportedly weak Pacific Division. This point total was a dip from the 104 and 101 points accumulated in Knoblauch's first two years, respectively. A consistent point of contention throughout the season was the Oilers' goaltending. The team allowed more goals than any other playoff squad.
Knoblauch, who took over as head coach after replacing Jay Woodcroft, compiled a regular-season record of 135 wins, 77 losses, and 21 overtime losses during his time with the Oilers. His playoff record stood at 31 wins and 22 losses. Notably, he had signed a three-year contract extension last October, an agreement that was slated to begin next season. His dismissal was first reported by TSN's Ryan Rishaug.
Read More: Edmonton Oilers fire coach Kris Knoblauch on 14 May 2026
"We were an average team all year."
This assessment, attributed to an unnamed source connected to the team, underscores a perceived underperformance that the organization apparently deemed unacceptable, despite the recent championship game appearances.
The team's performance this past season did not mirror the success of its preceding runs. The Oilers' goaltending situation was a frequent subject of discussion, with Stuart Skinner, formerly the team's starter, being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Tristan Jarry. While Skinner found stability in Pittsburgh, Jarry struggled significantly in Edmonton, posting a save percentage of .858 and eventually being benched in favor of Connor Ingram for the final stretch of the season.
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