NHL Rumors: Surprising New Coaching Candidate Linked To Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers' coaching search has become one of the more complicated organizational situations in recent NHL memory, and Frank Seravalli introduced a new name that very few people were expecting.

Speaking on Frankly Hockey, Seravalli said the Oilers may need to think outside the box depending on how the Mike Babcock situation resolves.

"If not Bruce Cassidy, if not Mike Babcock, Laviolette is already gone," Seravalli said. "Prepare yourself for the possibility of Darryl Sutter. I'm just saying, you're gonna have to get creative now if you're the Edmonton Oilers."

Why the Search Has Gotten This Complicated

The Oilers had a clear first choice in Cassidy, whose ties to the organization, Cup pedigree, and coaching style seemed to fit perfectly with what Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl reportedly told the front office they needed.

Vegas held firm on permission to speak with Cassidy until after their Stanley Cup Final run concluded, frustrating the process.

Babcock then emerged as the frontrunner, with the Oilers consulting the NHLPA before moving forward, per multiple reports.

Frank Seravalli on Frankly Hockey says the Oilers are looking impatient and that the coaching search is a circus.

The Mike Babcock situation appears to be going sideways,

and if Edmonton pivots, one name to watch could be two time Stanley Cup champion and Alberta native Darryl… pic.twitter.com/SrJQdtWUF6

— Bleed Oil Blue (@BleedOilBlue) June 11, 2026

An NHL investigation into Babcock's conduct during his time with the Columbus Blue Jackets has now potentially derailed that pursuit as well.

Peter Laviolette, another name in the conversation, is gone after being hired by the Kings on Wednesday.

That leaves the Oilers in an increasingly awkward position, which is where Sutter enters the discussion.

Why Sutter Would Actually Make Sense

Sutter is 67 years old and has not coached since his second stint with the Calgary Flames ended after the 2022-23 season.

He won two Stanley Cups with the Los Angeles Kings in 2012 and 2014, is the winningest coach in Kings franchise history, and his Jack Adams Award-winning 2021-22 Flames season showed he could still generate elite defensive results from a roster with legitimate offensive talent.

He is an Alberta native from Viking, a town roughly two hours southeast of Edmonton, giving him a regional connection as well.

Bruce Cassidy was a defenseman for the Darryl Sutter coached Indianapolis Ice team in 1989/90.

Sutter coached the Ice to win the Turner Cup.

Cassidy had 11 goals and 57 points for the blueline for Indianapolis.

“Bruce Cassidy credits Darryl Sutter with building his mental… https://t.co/CxeDQKdRMe pic.twitter.com/lYGI0Vap3j

— Jari the Hutt (@kurri_jari) June 10, 2026

Per Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts this week, Edmonton's top players have indicated they need a coach who will push back more and hold them accountable.

That description fits Sutter as well as it fits anyone available.

He is old-school, demanding, and has never been confused for a players' coach. He is also a proven winner who has coached in high-pressure markets and delivered championships.

The Concern

Sutter's last Calgary tenure ended without a playoff appearance in 2022-23 and a record that raised questions about whether his style had become outdated against the faster, skill-driven teams that now dominate the Western Conference.

Asking him to coax offensive production from McDavid and Draisaitl while also installing the defensive accountability the Oilers clearly need is a complicated ask for a 67-year-old who has been off the bench for three years.

Photo Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images