The Edmonton Oilers are no longer in the playoffs but they’re still front and center in the headlines. After letting Kris Knoblauch go following two trips to the Stanley Cup Final and a 2026 first-round knockout, the franchise is heading in a new direction, but things are… complicated.
Oilers brass has its sights set on former Vegas Golden Knights Cup winner Bruce Cassidy, but the franchise is still withholding permission from Edmonton to interview the man. With the Cassidy chase on the back burner, attention has turned to alternatives, but one of those options has already been ruled out this week.
John Wawrow Shuts Down Lindy Ruff-to-Oilers Speculation
Lindy Ruff is no longer viewed as a realistic option for the Oilers’ coaching vacancy after strong reporting out of Buffalo indicating that the veteran bench boss intends to remain with the Sabres.
The 66-year-old coach had emerged as a long-shot possibility after Edmonton dismissed Knoblauch on May 14, but Buffalo insider John Wawrow reported that Ruff is expected to stay exactly where he is.
Wawrow shared the update on X, writing, “All signs point to Lindy Ruff returning as Sabres coach. The decision is essentially up to him if he wants to continue on. And seeing how much he enjoyed this season, it would be a surprise Ruff wouldn’t want a crack at building on what he’s helped create.”
Can report that all signs point to Lindy Ruff returning as Sabres coach.
The decision is essentially up to him, if he wants to continue on.
And seeing how much he enjoyed this season, it would be a surprise Ruff wouldn’t want a crack at building on what he’s helped create.
— John Wawrow 🤷♂️ (@john_wawrow) May 19, 2026
The report carries weight considering Ruff just completed one of the most important seasons in recent Buffalo history. In his return behind the Sabres’ bench, Buffalo produced a 27-point improvement from the previous year, captured its first Atlantic Division title since the 2009-10 season, and snapped a 14-year playoff drought.
The turnaround also pushed Ruff into the Jack Adams Award finalist conversation alongside Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper and Pittsburgh Penguins’ rookie head coach Dan Muse.
Buffalo’s impressive postseason run has added even more weight to the belief that Ruff has unfinished business with the organization. The Sabres defeated the Boston Bruins in the opening round before falling to the Montreal Canadiens in a tightly contested Game 7 overtime loss on Monday night.
After the elimination, Ruff refused to let the final defeat overshadow the season, saying, “That pain will go away, but I won’t let this one game define the season we had.” He added, “This is a giant step for us. Giant step for all the players.”
This emotional connection to Buffalo’s resurgence appears to have removed him from Edmonton’s coaching carousel altogether. Ruff originally signed a two-year contract when he returned to the Sabres, and reports indicate the organization fully wants him back for another season.
With Ruff staying in Buffalo, Edmonton’s search now centers more heavily around other experienced names. Bruce Cassidy remains the Oilers’ preferred target, though the Golden Knights have still not granted permission for an interview as of Tuesday, May 19.
Craig Berube, Dean Evason, and Gerard Gallant also remain linked as Stan Bowman searches for a coach capable of maximizing the championship window around Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Meanwhile, Buffalo enters the summer in a far different position than Edmonton. The Sabres have stability behind the bench, a strengthened young core, and several top prospects expected to challenge for roster spots next season.
After years of instability, Ruff appears focused on continuing the progress he helped create rather than starting over elsewhere.
ALSO READ: Insider Offers Good News For Oilers’ Rumored Pursuit of $70,000,000-Valuled Forward
