Regardless of what happens during the upcoming playoffs, the Edmonton Oilers are heading for a massive offseason. At the moment, the reigning two-time Western Conference champions sit fifth in the standings. While they are heading towards the postseason, hopes are not exactly super high within the fanbase.
Edmonton now has to deal with a stacked conference that includes the Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, and Minnesota Wild. On top of this, superstar forward Leon Draisaitl is dealing with a fairly significant injury. Although he is expected back at some point during the playoffs, he has not played since March 15. There have also been reports of tensions between head coach Kris Knoblauch and star duo Connor McDavid and Draisaitl.
Both players seemingly took shots at their current coach in recent weeks. Draisaitl previously claimed that the club’s issue “starts with coaches” in February. McDavid then emphatically praised Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper following a matchup in March. The comments were widely seen as a dig towards Knoblauch. The superstar did, however, recently deny that the comments targeted his coach.
Nevertheless, Knoblauch’s future with the Oilers does seem precarious. An early exit in the upcoming playoffs could force Edmonton to make a change. If so, Bleacher Report’s Adam Gretz has named the team as a top fit for Bruce Cassidy. The Stanley Cup-winning coach was shockingly fired by the Las Vegas Golden Knights on March 29. Despite the change, Cassidy is viewed as one of the better NHL coaches.
Edmonton Oilers Unlikely to Target Bruce Cassidy Before Playoffs
GettyBruce Cassidy has proven to be one of the top NHL coaches.
Gretz is not the only hockey reporter to link Cassidy to the Oilers. NHL insider David Pagnotta recently discussed the potential connection on the Daily Faceoff. Pagnotta initially rejected a claim that Edmonton would target Cassidy to replace Knoblauch before the 2025-26 season ends. “Bruce Cassidy is a very good head coach, and he’s going to get another job probably soon,” proclaimed Pagnotta. “But I don’t know if it’s necessarily now.”
The insider, however, does believe that Edmonton may very well eye Cassidy in the offseason. “I think [the Oilers] are poised to make some bold moves [in the summer]… If you feel whatever changes you make and pieces you bring in work within Knoblauch’s system and messaging, then you stick with them,” continued Pagnotta. “If you don’t, then you’ve got a guy like Cassidy that can push you over the edge in your first year, at least.”
Edmonton Oilers Will Have Competition for Coach if They Make a Change
Cassidy’s record essentially speaks for itself. The coach has qualified for the NHL playoffs every season he has been with a club for the full year. He previously hoisted the 2021 Stanley Cup with the Golden Knights after collecting 111 points in the regular season. Despite this success, Cassidy has been known to clash with his players.
In fact, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman recently claimed that tensions between Cassidy and a few Golden Knights players boiled over nearly a year ago. It remains to be seen how the coach’s intense personality would mesh with Draisaitl and McDavid. Edmonton is also not the only potential landing spot for the recently fired coach. The Toronto Maple Leafs could target Cassidy first if they fire Craig Berube.
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