Edmonton Oilers GM Bowman explains decision to fire Knoblauch

The Edmonton Oilers will have a new coach behind the bench for the 2026-27 season.

After plenty of speculation in recent days, the Oilers officially announced on Thursday morning that Kris Knoblauch, as well as assistant coach Mark Stuart, have been relieved of their duties.

It’s a strange situation given that GM Stan Bowman signed Knoblauch to a three-year extension prior to the 2025-26 season. That extension was set to kick in for the 2027-28 season.

“Looking back at the way we ended the previous season, falling just short of the Stanley Cup, and the two seasons that Kris had with the team, it was a decision we made that we felt he had earned that contract extension,” Bowman explained. “As this season went on, at the end of the year, when I met with the group in the media in my availability, I mentioned that we were going to do a thorough review to try and understand how we got to this point.

“When we performed our analysis and where we were headed as a team, we felt that we needed a different voice to lead us where we want to get to. Difficult decision without a doubt, but it was based upon the way this entire year played out, not just small sections or just the playoffs, it was really the total year.”

Bowman and his staff have also been heavily criticized for how they went about this decision. While Knoblauch was still employed, a report came out that the Oilers had requested to speak to Bruce Cassidy. That report essentially meant the end of Knoblauch’s tenure, despite the fact that he hadn’t been told he was being fired.

“I’m not going to comment on media reports about other candidates, that’s not appropriate to be doing that,” Bowman said. “What I can say is that we didn’t rush through this. We did an analysis. We didn’t make our decision until very recently.

“Once that decision was made that we felt we had to make a change, then it was just a matter of [meeting in person]. It was more of a logistical thing that it took until late last night before Kris and I were able to sit down and talk it through.”

Now, the search for a new bench boss is underway. It sounds as though the Oilers will look to go with someone experienced, though Bowman himself didn’t want to reveal his hand.

“I don’t have a timeline on it,” Bowman said. “My simple answer would be that we’re going to go through a process. We’re not looking to drag this out, but it’ll take as long as it takes.

“We’re not going to stretch it out any longer than it needs to be. Whether that’s a week, 10 days, two weeks, I don’t know that. We’ll get to that when it plays out.”

Bowman did acknowledge that mistakes were made on behalf of himself and his staff as well, while also noting that improvements are needed. It’s now up to him to put the proper changes in place, as time is ticking on the Oilers’ Stanley Cup-contending window.

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