Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images

As the Edmonton Oilers entered the 2025-26 NHL season, the team was coming off a second straight loss in the Stanley Cup Final. The Oilers spent much of the offseason trying to convince star Connor McDavid to sign an extension, and once he did, it was only for two more seasons added on.

This allows McDavid a ton of flexibility for the future, and it puts a ticking clock on the Oilers to win right now. Edmonton didn’t do a whole lot else during the offseason, and it could come back to hurt them.

The Oilers are once again a top team in a loaded Western Conference, but all that matters to this franchise is the postseason. Edmonton again has a strong offensive attack, led by McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, but the defense is an issue again.

The penalty kill is an issue, and the team is expected to deal with this at the upcoming trade deadline. But this season will be measured by what Edmonton does in the playoffs, assuming that they get there, and another wasted year could have consequences.

Now it seems that if the team were to continue to underperform, there could be some big changes coming down the pipeline. The first domino to fall would likely be head coach Kris Knoblauch, who has helped guide this team well over the past few years.

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While Knoblauch has done well to help Edmonton reach two Stanley Cup Final appearances, this organization wants more. Simply getting to the Final isn’t enough, and there is a lot of pressure on this franchise to win it all.

According to NHL insider Nick Kypreos of Sportsnet Toronto, there is a reality where Knoblauch is let go of as the coach. Edmonton made some sneaky moves on the coaching staff lately, bringing back Paul Coffey as an assistant, and he could then take over as the leading man.

“I don’t see a world where Knoblauch’s long for this job,” he said. “Think about it. OK. Your player (Draisaitl) calls you out. And then maybe you’re told that you got to go get Paul Coffey back on your bench. You got to turn this thing into a Stanley Cup winning season here, or I don’t see a world where Knoblauch’s back.”

During his tenure as the Oilers’ head coach, so far, Knoblauch has posted an impressive record of 122-69-18 in the regular season. In the playoffs, the Oulers have gone 29-18, losing both years with Knoblauch in the Stanley Cup Final.

Knoblauch likely understands the pressure he is under, and he knows that this group has to win this season. There aren’t more excuses coming from the top down, and the Oilers must capitalize on success while McDavid is under contract.

When the games have mattered the most, Knoblauch has been able to get his team to play at a high level. But his defense and goaltending have caused them to fall short, and if it were to happen again, the veteran coach may be looking for a new job.

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