Oilers Want Next Coach to Be Harder on Their Players

With Kris Knoblauch’s time behind the bench of the Edmonton Oilers now over, the focus has fully shifted to who GM Stan Bowman and company are going to hire as his replacement.

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Bruce Cassidy remains a frontrunner despite the Vegas Golden Knights having declined Edmonton’s request to speak with him, while other names like Peter Laviolette and Craig Berube have also surfaced in the conversation.

What do all of these candidates have in common? They’re veteran, hard-nosed coaches who aren’t afraid to be tough on their players—which is exactly what the Oilers are looking for, according to Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman.

Friedman said:

“I think in the aftermath of this defeat, I am hearing that the Oilers feel there needs to be a different approach. You go from one person as a change, and when you make a change you go completely different—you go 180 degrees, you go the opposite—and I do think that’s in play here.

I think the Oilers want a coach who will be a bit more of a grinder, a bit more strict, and on top of their players, a bit more. But I believe the Oilers felt that their team, just like they needed a change in personality when they brought in Kris Knoblauch three years ago, they felt they needed one now,”

Edmonton’s last two head coaches—Jay Woodcroft and Knoblauch—were, of course, both first-time hires known for being more laid back than the likes of those they’re seeking now.

Friedman went on to mention that, if possible, Cassidy remains the Oilers’ top choice, although they may have to beat out the Los Angeles Kings to land him.

Either way, it’s clear that Edmonton felt the need for a different kind of voice and leadership behind the bench moving forward, so expect a significant shift in coaching style during what could be the most important years of the Connor McDavid–Leon Draisaitl era.

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