On Sunday, the Vegas Golden Knights elected to part ways with head coach Bruce Cassidy, prompting conversations regarding the one-time Stanley Cup champions’ next landing spot. The 2019-20 Jack Adams Award recipient was replaced by tenured veteran John Tortorella, despite the club currently sitting in a playoff spot.
A fellow Pacific Division foe, the Edmonton Oilers, also holds one of the division’s playoff spots and has played well down the stretch, currently riding a three-game winning streak. As Edmonton eyes its first Stanley Cup title since 1990, could a switch from Kris Knoblauch to Cassidy benefit the team?
Oilers’ Struggles Fuel Head Coaching Speculation
Glory has heartbreakingly dodged the Oilers in back-to-back years, and with the club looking unsteady for the upcoming postseason, Edmonton could be doomed once again. The Oilers have eight games remaining in the regular season, and with expectations yet again at a premium, here are three reasons why the club may want to keep Knoblauch around.
1. Stanley Cup Pedigree
There is no debating the playoff and championship experience of Knoblauch and this Oilers team. While they have not hoisted the Stanley Cup, the group is within striking distance. Their kryptonite, the Florida Panthers, currently sit last in the Atlantic Division and appear well out of playoff positioning with the 2026 NHL Playoffs beginning in under a month.
In 2024, the Stanley Cup Final went the full seven games, with Florida narrowly prevailing in Game 7. Even with the loss, superstar Connor McDavid earned honors as the Conn Smythe Trophy winner, awarded to the postseason’s top performer. This puts Edmonton’s captain among elite company, as one of six players ever to win the award while playing for a losing club.
McDavid and his running mate, one-time Hart Trophy winner Leon Draisaitl, remain with the Oilers and are hungrier than ever to get past the finish line. Knoblauch’s familiarity with the two franchise cornerstones is key to the club’s possible success.
2. Familiarity with the Current Roster
Vegas is taking an undeniable risk switching head coaches with just eight regular-season games remaining. However, just because the Golden Knights are taking a stab at change does not mean the Oilers should as well. Regardless of the team’s success, Knoblauch knows his players better than any other coach.
On Wednesday, Edmonton defeated the Utah Mammoth 5-2 on the road, one of the club’s more complete performances in recent memory. Following the win, Knoblauch spoke with the media about what the team needs to do moving forward.
David Staples of the Edmonton Journal reiterated the coach’s response. “Well, simplicity,” Knoblauch said. “And not feeling that we have to score off the rush. And you know, if there’s an opportunity to score off the rush, it’s an odd-man chance, then we want to take it. But if they’ve got numbers back, it’s very difficult to get offensive opportunities.”
Knoblauch continued, “It just is no matter how good you are and no matter how nice a pass you make, it usually leads to turnovers and not having spent time in the offensive zone. And I think we’re really determined to make it hard on their defense, and we established a pretty good forecheck.”
The 47-year-old explained that, as good as his team is off the rush, he understands a more efficient way for his group to score. A persistent forecheck and sustained zone time could create more opportunities than the team has recently.
3. Strong Relationships with Stars
Although they have suffered a few tragic defeats, Edmonton has picked up play in March, posting an 8-4-1 record. Whether that is key players stepping up, coaching decisions, or anything in between, everyone around the team knew an uptick in play was needed. Part of the better performances may stem from players and coaches holding one another accountable.
Going back to Knoblauch’s familiarity with the team, the relationships built are undeniable. With good relationships comes a willingness to be open and honest with one another. When Draisaitl touched on the current team’s state, he had no problem calling out that things simply have not been good enough.
“We’re a different team. We’re not the same team,” Draisaitl said. “We’re not as good (as last season) right now. We’re not even close. We need to understand that.”
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Sportsnet media then asked what needs to change going forward. “It starts with the coaches,” Draisaitl said. “Everybody. You’re never going to win if you have four or five guys going, and it starts at the top. Our leaders can be better.”
Having the comfort to voice the idea that coaches may need to change their philosophy in some way, shape, or form is just one example of the relationship between Knoblauch and his players. It may not always be sunshine and rainbows, something Draisaitl and Knoblauch both recognize. Can Edmonton continue to elevate its game with the postseason on the horizon, or will things crumble on the edge of triumph once again?
