The Edmonton Oilers have taken another step in their coaching search following the firing of former head coach Kris Knoblauch earlier this month after the franchise fell way short of expectations.
Edmonton parted ways with Knoblauch after a first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Anaheim Ducks, with the Oilers failing to capitalize on their recent success, making back-to-back trips to the Stanley Cup Final in the last two years.
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Meanwhile, the Toronto Maple Leafs also moved on from their coach, Craig Berube, after missing the postseason for the first time in a decade.
Toronto fired Berube after his second season at the helm, following a 32-36-14 season that left the team at the bottom of the Atlantic Division and with the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference. The result came one year after the Maple Leafs won the division and advanced to the second round of the playoffs.
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According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, reporting the news in Monday’s episode of the “32 Thoughts” podcast, the Oilers have now been granted permission to interview Berube as part of their search for a new head coach.
Berube would bring previous championship experience to Edmonton, having guided the St. Louis Blues to a Stanley Cup title in 2019. Over 10 seasons as an NHL head coach, Berube has put together a 365-252-90 regular-season record to go with a 34-37 balance in the playoffs.
Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube during a press conference.John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
“When we performed our analysis and our review about where we headed as a team, we just felt that we needed a different voice to lead us to where we want to get to,” Oilers general manager Stan Bowman said about Knoblauch’s firing.
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The Oilers have explored multiple options during their search, with prior reports indicating the franchise sought permission to speak with former Vegas Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy, though that request was denied.
With permission to interview Berube now secured, per Friedman, Edmonton continues evaluating candidates and seems to be getting closer to choosing its new man in charge.
Related: Full 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Schedule, Updated Bracket and Results
Related: Oilers’ Coaching Update Emerges After Kris Knoblauch Firing
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on May 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the NHL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.