The Edmonton Oilers have made some big changes after a rough start to the NHL season. Head coach Jay Woodcroft and assistant coach Dave Manson were let go on Sunday after the team’s 3-9-1 start to the season. Kris Knoblauch from the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack will take over as head coach, and he’ll be joined by assistant coach Paul Coffey. Knoblauch has experience coaching Oilers star Connor McDavid from their time together in the Ontario Hockey League’s Erie Otters. This move makes Knoblauch the 10th coach in 15 seasons for the Oilers and the fifth since McDavid joined the team in 2015.
Woodcroft, who had been with the Oilers for three seasons, helped lead the team to the Western Conference final in 2022 and the second round of last spring’s playoffs. However, the team’s performance this season led to his dismissal. The Oilers had high hopes for this season, but a series of losses and a struggle to score goals put them in a tough spot. Even star player Connor McDavid, who had an outstanding season last year, has faced challenges in the recent games.
The team’s goaltending has also been a concern, with both Jack Campbell and Stuart Skinner struggling to keep the puck out of the net. Campbell, who was signed to a big contract in the off-season, was waived and is now playing for the Bakersfield Condors, the Oilers’ AHL affiliate.
Woodcroft’s coaching career with the Oilers has come to an end, but he leaves behind a legacy of hard work and dedication to the team. The Oilers are now looking to turn things around under the leadership of Kris Knoblauch and Paul Coffey. Fans are hopeful that this change will bring a fresh start for the team and lead to better results in the upcoming games.
Edmonton Oilers Shake Up Coaching Staff
