The Edmonton Oilers have fired coach Kris Knoblauch after the team took a step back from consecutive trips to the Stanley Cup Final, according to multiple reports.
The move follows the Oilers’ first round exit at the hands of the Anaheim Ducks this season. After the loss, captain Connor McDavid said that the Oilers “were an average team all year” and “just never found it.”
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Knoblauch had replaced Jay Woodcroft early in the 2023-24 season and led the Oilers to back-to-back 100-point seasons. They advanced to the Stanley Cup Final in each of Knoblauch’s first two postseasons, reaching Game 7 in 2024. They lost to the Panthers both times.
The Oilers dropped to 93 points this past season, finishing second in the Pacific Division, and lost in six games to the Ducks.
A report emerged recently that the Oilers sought permission to talk to fired coach Bruce Cassidy, but the Vegas Golden Knights declined.
McDavid will begin a two-year contract extension next season, so it’s imperative for the Oilers to show that they can be a Stanley Cup contender before his deal expires.
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The Oilers’ move follows the Toronto Maple Leafs’ firing of Craig Berube on Wednesday, May 13. The Los Angeles Kings also also looking for a coach and said interim coach D.J. Smith would be in the mix.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Edmonton Oilers fire coach Kris Knoblauch after three seasons
