NHL insider expects Edmonton Oilers to fire Kris Knoblauch
The Edmonton Oilers could look like a much different group by the time the 2026-27 season arrives.
The 2025-26 campaign was an ugly one for the Oilers, who finished with just 93 points and wound up being eliminated in the first round by the Anaheim Ducks.
Both Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl admitted during their end-of-season media availabilities that the team has regressed following two-straight trips to the Stanley Cup Final, and it appears based on a recent report from NHL insider Frank Seravalli that changes are likely to take place.
“I do think significant changes are coming in Edmonton,” Seravalli said on Sportsnet 590.
Those changes, as per Seravalli, may not only be to their coaching staff, but the front office as well.
“I think a coaching change is likely,” Seravalli continued. “I think it’s more likely than not that Kris Knoblauch and his staff are sent packing. I think there’s likely to be front office changes coming in Edmonton as they reshape and restructure.”
As if that weren’t alarming enough for Oilers fans, it doesn’t sound as though those are the only changes that could be coming.
Seravalli also went on to mention that he believes the organization is going to look at trading defenceman Darnell Nurse this summer.
“Do they find a way to convince a team, sweeten a package with a team to move on from Darnell Nurse? I think that’s needed,” Seravalli said. “It’s almost like a little bit of addition by subtraction. You can’t have a player taking up that much space on your cap and not producing at a level that’s commensurate for your team.”
“It’s more likely than not that Knoblauch and his staff are sent packing. There’s likely to be front office changes, and I wonder about Darnell Nurse.”@frank_seravalli joins @ailishforfar and @jccuthbert to discuss the Oilers' looming offseason decisions. pic.twitter.com/F0gHr63zpe
— Sportsnet 590 The FAN (@FAN590) May 7, 2026
Nurse, 31, has one more year of a full no-movement clause in his contract. Following the 2026-27 season, it will turn into a 10-team trade list for the final three years of the deal.
Trading Nurse would allow the Oilers to shore up other areas, perhaps most importantly, goaltending, this offseason. Whether the veteran blueliner is open to a trade, however, remains to be seen.
Regardless of what happens on the Nurse front, it sounds like changes are coming in regards to both the coaching staff and some potential tweaks regarding the front office as the organization looks to get things back on track following an extremely disappointing season.
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