Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch is leaving, TSN’s Ryan Rishaug reports. The news comes after Frank Seravalli reported earlier this week that the Oilers had sought permission from the Vegas Golden Knights to interview Bruce Cassidy.
Knoblauch, 47, succeeded Jay Woodcroft in November 2024 and immediately turned things around, leading Edmonton to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals. The Oilers came up short both times, losing twice to the Florida Panthers. The Anaheim Ducks are still seeking their first Stanley Cup since the 1989-90 season after being eliminated in the first round of this year’s playoffs.
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What makes reports of Knoblauch’s firing particularly troubling is that in October, the Oilers signed him to a three-year contract extension through the 2028-29 season.
As for his potential replacement, Cassidy, Vegas fired him with just eight games remaining in the regular season. But with some time remaining on his contract and continuing to be paid by the Cavaliers, interested teams must still go through Las Vegas to interview the former Stanley Cup-winning head coach. In these cases, the practice is often just a formality. However, the Cavaliers reportedly denied permission from the Pacific Division rival Oilers to interview Cassidy.
Per Serravalli’s report, Vegas didn’t outright deny Edmonton’s permission and instead asked the Oilers to wait, which also included the Los Angeles Kings as suitors for Cassidy’s services.
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Cassidy, 60, has a 470-254-9-96 record as an NHL head coach. In the 2018-19 season, he led the Boston Bruins to the Stanley Cup Finals. Four years later, in his first season in Vegas, he led the Cavaliers to their first Stanley Cup.
John Tortorella took Cassidy’s place late in the season and helped Vegas take a 3-2 lead in the second round series against the Ducks.
As for the Oilers, they have clearly taken a step backwards this season under Knoblauch. Stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl even discussed this return. Edmonton finished with its lowest scoring margin since 2018-19, the most recent season the team did not make the playoffs.
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In today’s NHL, head coaches have very limited power. While the Oilers have had success with Knoblauch on the bench, their season has stalled, and now Edmonton is reportedly turning a new leaf.
