Breaking: Edmonton Oilers Finally Make Decision on Kris Knoblauch

Kris Knoblauch, ex-coach of the Edmonton Oilers

It was an uncomfortable situation going on in Edmonton, to say the least. When word got out that the Oilers had asked for permission to speak with top available coach Bruce Cassidy—while their own head coach was still employed—it became an untenable situation.

The Oil have finally put Knoblauch out of his misery, and on Thursday morning word has dropped that they have officially "relieved him of his coaching duties." He got the word last night.

The Edmonton Oilers have relieved Kris Knoblauch of his coaching duties, per Ryan Rishaug. pic.twitter.com/JWtJpfTmzm
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 14, 2026

Knoblauch signed a three-year extension with the Oilers last year that hasn't even kicked in yet. It will pay him a total of $7.5 million over the course of the next three seasons. Unless he finds another coaching job.

The 47-year-old was hired in-season early in the 2023-24 campaign after the team got off to a dreadful start. He then led them to two consecutive Stanley Cup Finals, only to come up short in the end both times.

This year, another slow start for Edmonton cost them, as they never really got their A-game going, and after a disappointing regular season record, they were ousted in the first round of the playoffs.

Superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl made public comments about the way the team played, and even an overt dig at how they need to be coached better was heard.

We'll have to see if the Oilers can now convince the Vegas Golden Knights, who are still paying Cassidy for two more years after they fired him late in the regular season last month, will allow Edmonton to speak with him.