The Edmonton Oilers are never too far away from the headlines, it would appear. Not willing to be outdone by the Toronto Maple Leafs seizing control of the NHL news cycle by firing Craig Berube, the Oilers made the decision to fire Kris Knoblauch the very next day, with both teams now on the lookout for a new face behind the bench.
The Oilers took it one step further. Per TSN insider Ryan Rishaug, the Oilers have now lined up an interview with Berube, a veteran bench boss widely respected for his demanding structure and accountability-driven coaching style.
Craig Berube Emerges as Serious Oilers Candidate After Toronto Exit
Berube officially became part of Edmonton’s coaching search after the Oilers received permission to interview the former Maple Leafs head coach. According to Rishaug, discussions between Berube and Oilers general manager Stan Bowman had already taken place before the formal interview process began.
Rishaug shared on X, “Hearing a formal interview with Berube is expected after some initial conversation between him and Bowman. Permission to speak with Bruce Cassidy had still not been granted as of Sunday night.”
Hearing a formal interview with Berube is expected after some initial conversation between he and Bowman. Permission to speak with Bruce Cassidy had still not been granted as of Sunday night.
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) May 18, 2026
The timing matters for both organizations. Toronto moved on from Berube after a disastrous 2025-26 season in which the Maple Leafs missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016 following a 30-point decline in the standings.
Edmonton, meanwhile, dismissed Knoblauch after a frustrating postseason collapse despite having the league’s top power-play unit during the regular season.
Berube’s coaching profile appears to align closely with what Edmonton is currently seeking. His reputation around the league centers on accountability, defensive structure, and a heavy forechecking system that helped the St. Louis Blues get their hands on the Stanley Cup in 2019.
These traits have become increasingly important for an Oilers team facing criticism over inconsistent defensive habits and leadership accountability after the Anaheim Ducks series.
Some reactions around the league reflected surprise, while others viewed the move as inevitable. NHL analyst Russell Morgan reacted in surprise on X by posting, “Berube?!” shortly after news of the interview surfaced.
Matt Wozniak, a content creator for Oilers Nation, highlighted a sharp year-to-year swing on Berube’s Leafs team while reacting to the report. He wrote, “Berube’s last two seasons with the Maple Leafs: 24/25: 52-24-4 | 108 points, 1st in the Atlantic Division. 25/26: 32-36-14 | 78 points, 8th in the Atlantic Division.”
Oilers analyst Rob Soria took a different angle, writing, “The moment Berube was let go by the Leafs, he was going to get an interview in Edmonton.”
The conversation also shifted toward how Berube’s demanding style could impact Edmonton’s superstar core, especially McDavid.
Earlier this year, Sportsnet Stats highlighted that Auston Matthews faced elite competition on 47.0 percent of his ice time during Berube’s two seasons in Toronto compared to 35.0 percent across his previous eight seasons.
This detail reinforced the idea that Berube heavily leans on star players in difficult matchup situations rather than sheltering them offensively.
Meanwhile, some fans focused their frustration on the Vegas Golden Knights for blocking Bruce Cassidy’s interview permission. Bleed Oil Blue posted on X, “Still …. give Vegas a fine, take away all their picks. This is a circus. How can the NHL allow this?”
Even with Cassidy remaining Edmonton’s preferred option, Berube has quickly become one of the strongest realistic candidates available. His Stanley Cup pedigree, structured approach, and willingness to challenge elite players could appeal strongly to an Oilers organization now searching for far more than just another temporary coaching fix.
As of Sunday, May 17, Rishaug and Elliotte Friedman both reported that the Oilers still haven’t received permission to interview Cassidy. With the Los Angeles Kings and Maple Leafs also in the running for his services, this carousel is quickly becoming one to keep an eye on.
