The Edmonton Oilers enter the offseason with the heat turned all the way up after a first-round exit from the playoffs, which postponed Connor McDavid’s chase for the Stanley Cup.
With Kris Knoblauch out, the organization immediately jumped into a high-stakes coaching search, targeting veteran voices capable of handling the pressure cooker that comes with Edmonton hockey.
In the middle of all that chaos, a chance airport run-in suddenly linked two of Canada’s biggest hockey markets, as McDavid crossed paths with former Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube before Berube’s meeting with the Oilers. The unexpected encounter has now added another interesting twist to one of hockey’s hottest offseason dramas.
Insider Craig Berube’s Chance Encounter With Connor McDavid
Berube unexpectedly crossed paths with McDavid while traveling to meet the Edmonton Oilers front office regarding the team’s vacant head coaching position. The surprising airport encounter was first revealed by NHL insider Chris Johnston during a recent episode of The Chris Johnston Show, instantly adding an interesting twist to Edmonton’s ongoing coaching search.
Johnston explained that Berube had already received permission from the Maple Leafs to interview with the Oilers after being dismissed following Toronto’s late-season collapse. While flying out to meet Edmonton management, Berube reportedly bumped into McDavid entirely by chance at the airport.
“One interesting anecdote is Berube did end up meeting with the Oilers front office staff after being granted permission by the Leafs,” Johnston said. “One funny thing that happened there is when he was at the airport flying up to meet them, he was walking around and, lo and behold, who does he bump into but Connor McDavid.”
Johnston admitted the timing felt almost unbelievable given the circumstances surrounding Edmonton’s coaching search. “What are the odds of a chance run-in with the star player of the team you’re about to go see at the airport?” he added later in the discussion while calling the encounter “so weird.”
The meeting immediately fueled discussion around whether Berube could realistically fit behind Edmonton’s bench. The Oilers are aggressively searching for a veteran coach capable of helping McDavid and Leon Draisaitl finally push through after multiple postseason disappointments.
Johnston noted that Berube’s resume naturally appeals to Edmonton because he has already proved he can guide a team through playoff pressure. The longtime coach won the Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues in 2019 and later helped Toronto capture a division title during the 2024-25 season.
Still, Johnston questioned whether Berube’s preferred system perfectly matches Edmonton’s elite offensive talent. “He wanted a Leafs team that was a little more skilled, certainly at the top end, to sort of dump and chase and play in a style that probably wasn’t best suited to their skill sets,” Johnston explained.
At the same time, he emphasized that Berube’s strengths extend beyond tactics. Johnston described him as “a steadying guy” who communicates well with players and handles media pressure effectively in intense Canadian hockey markets.
The Oilers’ interest arrives during a critical moment for the franchise. McDavid remains under contract through 2027-28, but growing speculation surrounds Edmonton’s long-term direction after an early playoff exit.
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The organization is also exploring roster changes, including potential moves involving defenseman Darnell Nurse, while continuing its search for defensive depth and goaltending help.
For now, Berube remains one of several experienced candidates linked to the position, though Toronto’s dramatic year-to-year collapse could work against his candidacy.
