Canadian Teams Daily Rumours: Canucks and Oilers McDavid & Draisaitl

This edition of Canadian Teams Daily Rumours includes three rumours. First, the Canucks are poking around for a new GM and reportedly brought in Pierre Dorion for a sit-down, the Oilers are doing a full reset after their late collapse with Kris Knoblauch’s future (and pretty much everything else) under review, and the Oilers elite twosome of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl had words about the Oilers season.

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Canucks Rumour — Pierre Dorion Given a Look for GM Spot

Word on the street is that Vancouver brought in Pierre Dorion for an initial GM interview. The Canucks are poking around several veteran execs since letting Patrik Allvin go. Dorion’s name keeps popping up among the crop they’ve talked to, and people who follow this closely say he actually has previous GM experience, which sets him apart from some other candidates.

They’ve also been linked to Shane Doan, Patrick Burke, Brad Pascall, and Bill Scott, but Dorion’s the one who’s already sat in the GM chair (Ottawa, 2016–2023). He climbed the ranks from scouting gigs with Montreal and NYR to Ottawa’s director of amateur scouting, then took over as GM and even steered the Senators to the Conference Finals in his first year. After that came a rebuild and, eventually, his firing early in the 2023–24 season.

Nothing’s official yet, but the Canucks are clearly casting a wide net. Dorion’s interview suggests they’re at least seriously weighing a returning-GM type who knows how to run a club.

Oilers Rumour — Knoblauch’s Future After Final Interviews Unsure

Word is the Oilers didn’t give any hints about Kris Knoblauch’s job status during their final round of interviews. GM Stan Bowman told reporters they’re going to take their time weighing everything before deciding if Knoblauch comes back. No clock’s been set, but the team seems willing to be careful and methodical, not rushed.

Bowman also hinted that the review won’t just be about the coach. Pretty much the whole operation, including his own role, is up for evaluation after the team’s disappointing finish. With the draft in June and free agency in July, that gives Edmonton a tight window to sort things out, so expect plenty of chatter and movement as they figure out the next steps.

Oilers Rumour: McDavid and Draisaitl Call Out the Team

Man, that exit interview got real. After the Ducks knocked Edmonton out in six, Leon Draisaitl didn’t blink. “I am concerned about that,” he said when asked about the team’s direction, then flat-out questioned howasked how you can have the best player in the world and not be trying to win. He said McDavid signed for two more years and that the team has to get “significantly better.” Harsh, but blunt and honest.

Connor McDavid backed him up, saying the whole organization took a step back and agreeing that the roster just wasn’t good enough. Even Stan Bowman admitted, “We were average for a lot of the year.” Bottom line: the guys at the top are fed up, and a lot of the heat is landing on Bowman — lack of reliable goaltending and missing depth have been recurring issues, and the room made it clear they expect real changes.

Related: Canadian Teams Daily Rumours: Canucks, Maple Leafs & Canadiens