Field Level Media
14 May 2026, 20:35 GMT+10
(Photo credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images)
The Edmonton Oilers relieved Kris Knoblauch of his head coaching duties after three seasons, the team announced Thursday.
Also fired was assistant coach Mark Stuart.
'Following a thorough review of this past season, we believe these changes are needed,' general manager Stan Bowman said. 'We are grateful for the contributions both Kris and Mark have made to our organization and we wish them the best moving forward.'
No replacement was named. Whoever takes over stands to inherit a team that has more postseason appearances (81 games) than any team since 2022.
With superstar captain Connor McDavid and fellow former Hart Trophy recipient Leon Draisaitl in the lineup, the Oilers reached the Stanley Cup Final in Knoblauch's first two seasons behind the bench. They fell to the Florida Panthers in six games in 2024 and in seven games in 2025.
This season, Edmonton lost in six games to the Anaheim Ducks in the first round of the playoffs.
The firing comes before Knoblauch's three-year contract extension through the 2028-29 season was set to begin. He signed that deal on Oct. 3, 2025.
Knoblauch, 47, posted a 135-77-21 record in the regular season and 31-22 mark in the playoffs. He took after the Oilers fired Jay Woodcroft on Nov. 12, 2023.
According to the league, he was the first NHL coach in more than 55 years to take a team to the Stanley Cup Final in his first two seasons on the job.
--Field Level Media
Get a daily dose of Orlando Echo news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Orlando Echo.
More InformationLONDON, U.K.: OPEC cut its forecast for global oil demand growth in 2026 on May 13, citing the impact of the Iran war and the disruption...
VATICAN CITY: The Vatican said on May 13 that a breakaway Catholic group that supports the old Latin Mass should cancel its plan to...
BEIJING, China: President Donald Trump and an entourage that included Nvidia's Jensen Huang and Elon Musk landed in Beijing to a lavish...
MADRID, Spain: A U.S.-German couple who locked up their three children at home for three-and-a-half years, after developing a fear...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: A Reuters/Ipsos poll completed on May 11 showed that two out of three Americans believe President Donald Trump has...
BEIJING, China: The families of two Americans who have been in prison in China for over 10 years are asking U.S. President Donald Trump...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: A Reuters/Ipsos poll completed on May 11 showed that two out of three Americans believe President Donald Trump has...
(Photo credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images) The Edmonton Oilers relieved Kris Knoblauch of his head coaching duties after three...
(Photo credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images) The Edmonton Oilers have relieved Kris Knoblauch of his head coaching duties after...
(Photo credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images) Minnesota's Byron Buxton is coming off a two-homer performance that gave him 15 home runs...
(Photo credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images) Off to a strong start on the road, the Washington Nationals will attempt to complete a three-game...
(Photo credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images) Shohei Ohtani pitched seven scoreless innings, Santiago Espinal and Mookie Betts hit...
