Latest news with #KrisKnoblauch
Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Kris Knoblauch prepares for challenging start to 2025-26 season with new Edmonton Oilers team
Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch (via Getty Images) Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch is set for a challenging beginning to the 2025-26 NHL campaign, one where he and his recently named coaching staff must integrate rapidly while having little margin for turning time into players. With lengthy road journeys on the horizon and minimal space for trial and error, Knoblauch is all about form, preparedness, and early cohesiveness. Edmonton Oilers and head coach Kris Knoblauch seek a quick start despite scheduling stress Having led the Edmonton Oilers to consecutive Stanley Cup Finals and compiled a 94-47-10 regular season mark since joining, Kris Knoblauch heads into this new season with momentum—but also a great deal of expectations. The summer saw major changes on the backbench, with the coaching staff now completely chosen by Knoblauch himself, a change from the blended staff he inherited in the past. This year, Kris Knoblauch will share close collaboration with Assistant Coach Paul McFarland, Goaltending Coach Peter Aubry, and Skills Coach Conor Allen—all three of whom will be tasked with quickly getting on the same page as far as strategy, roles, and systems are concerned. RAW | Kris Knoblauch 07.14.25 Although not yet a top priority, a contract extension for Knoblauch will likely be forthcoming. Other than that, however, his focus is on preparation for the near future, particularly with indications of a tough early-season schedule. The Oilers are slated to have much of the first quarter on the road, with at least two different five-game journeys. With a new penalty kill coach at the helm, moderate adjustments are predicted, although the nucleus of Edmonton's vaunted power play has not changed—one of Edmonton's greatest strengths that Knoblauch will no doubt conserve with little alteration. While Kris Knoblauch's current contract status remains unresolved, it is set to be resolved in August, potentially with a multi-year extension. After all, the last Edmonton Oilers 'coach to guide the team to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals was Glen Sather—a comparison that says a lot. Also read: Oilers' coach Kris Knoblauch addresses speculation about his future with the team as Connor McDavid's return remains uncertain Until then, everybody waits on the ice. With substantial roster consistency and a staff at last of his choosing, Knoblauch has the challenge of getting maximum performance right out of the gate. The journey ahead of him might be challenging, but the foundation is solid, and the sense of urgency is obvious. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Edmonton Journal
4 days ago
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch and his new staff will have precious little time to acclimatize
Article content For those on contract watch for Kris Knoblauch, do not anticipate anything on that front immediately. Article content Nor do I think it is at the top of his mind right now. He has bigger fish to fry. Article content Article content Instead, I expect the Oilers Head Coach is fully immersed in bringing his staff into the loop on the plans for 2025-26, and specifics on their roles. Unlike his past staff which Knoblauch inherited, this one is all his. Stan Bowman did indeed have some connection to the new goalie coach Peter Aubry, but as I understand it the people Kris has surrounded himself with are now 'his guys'. Aubry, Assistant Coach Paul McFarland and Skills Coach Conor Allen will have their hands full. Article content Article content And there will be no wading into the water for them to see how warm it is. They will be jumping right in. Because if the detail I am hearing about the new NHL season schedule from various sources across the league is true, Kris Knoblauch's staff will need to be uber-focused and together in terms of their systems, their process and their protocols. They will need to have their club ready to hit the ground (or ice, I guess) running right from Game #1. Article content Article content Because I expect the Edmonton Oilers will spend a hefty chunk of the first quarter of the regular season away from home. Included in that stretch are expected to be two extended road trips of five games or more. If all that comes to pass, then some patience will be required when it comes to how the club fares right out of the gate. It could be a grueling start. And all Kris Knoblauch can do about that is prepare, prepare, prepare. Article content Article content This probably means very little experimenting in training camp, especially in the final few games. He will want lines and pairings formed and getting a feel for one another. Swift integration for the new players will also be vital. Even though there is a new coach for the Power Play, there is every reason to believe that the Oilers' man advantage will continue to be lethal. All the key personnel are returning. A nip here, a tuck there, etc. But systems and some personnel will change on the penalty kill. I expect not wholesale change but tweaks on the back end, too. The dynamic change with Paul Coffey movin' on up I predict will be meaningful. Article content Then there is the new goaltending coach. Aubry will require dedicated time with his guys. In fact, that may be Job One. You will not change what kind of goaltenders these guys are, 'they' being Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard. But there are adjustments that can and should be made. I expect the leash may be short if one or both of them can not grab the job and run with it. And clearly Skinner is the one with considerable upside. Pickard is what I would class as a very capable NHL backup, versus a 1B.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Oilers' coach Kris Knoblauch addresses speculation about his future with the team as Connor McDavid's return remains uncertain
Kris Knoblauch has finally spoken if he would be returning to the team, the Edmonton Oilers.(Image via Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images) The Edmonton Oilers are in a pretty sensitive situation after the team lost the 2025 Stanley Cup Finals to the Florida Panthers for the second consecutive time this year. While there are a lot of doubts and speculations about Connor McDavid's future in the team, many fans have also raised questions on the Oilers' coach, Kris Knoblauch's future in the team. Now, Kris Knoblauch has finally broken his silence about it. Will the Oilers' coach Kris Knoblauch return to the team? The popular coach finally addressed all the speculations As the Edmonton Oilers lost to the Florida Panthers in the 2025 Stanley Cup Finals, many fans no longer wanted Kris Knoblauch to continue with the team. The Edmonton Oilers have mostly remained silent amid all the speculations but a few hours ago, the Oilers' coach Kris Knoblauch spoke about it. On a recent video conference, the Oilers' coach spoke to the reporters and addressed speculations about his future in the team. Kris Knoblauch said, 'That's up to the organization. You know, there's been some slight talk about that. Hopefully, progress will be made over the summer.' Fans stand divided on this, considering the recent consecutive loss against the Florida Panthers in the 2025 Stanley Cup Finals. When is Connor McDavid signing a contract extension with the Edmonton Oilers? However, Connor McDavid's return to the Edmonton Oilers is also under doubt. For the unversed, the Oilers' captain and star player's contract with the team ends at the end of the 2025-26 season. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Discover Why These Off-Plan Dubai Apartments Sell Fast? Binghatti Developers FZE Read More Undo With the way Connor McDavid has proved his worth on the ice, as per insiders, there are many such teams which are waiting to onboard the star player. Both Connor McDavid and his team, the Edmonton Oilers, have remained silent on his return to the team. The Edmonton Oilers' GM has spoken about Connor McDavid's situation in the team A few weeks ago, the Edmonton Oilers' general manager Stan Bowman spoke about signing a deal with Connor McDavid. Stan Bowman had said, 'We're very eager to do that whenever they're ready…I think Connor has earned the right to choose when he wants to get into the details of it and we're ready right now, he knows that.' However, there have been no updates since then. Also Read: 'He has earned the right to choose': Edmonton Oilers still waiting as Connor McDavid contract talks remain on hold Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Will going "off the board" with new coaches cause the Edmonton Oilers to hit or miss their ultimate target
The Edmonton Oilers have re-vamped their coaching staff. The Cult of Hockey's David Staples writes about the breaking news from this (Monday) morning as well as some reaction to it, here. In addition to David's work, here are some more basics along with context and quotes from Head Coach Kris Knoblauch: Paul Coffey is not returning as Defence coach, returning instead to his previous role upstairs. 'We'll still have conversations with Paul, and Paul will still give us his insight on how the team is playing and what we could be doing'. Assistant Coach Mark Stuart had his contract extended and his duties expanded to include the Defence corps in addition to the Penalty Kill. Kris Knoblauch spoke to the fact that in between good runs the kill struggled mightily at times this past season: 'There will be changes to our system, (and) we will be doing things a little bit differently'. Paul McFarland will join Knoblauch behind the bench, help coach the forwards and be responsible for the much-vaunted Oilers Power Play: 'Just the fact that he has been running an NHL power play for many years, started in Toronto, Florida and then Seattle'. McFarland coached the WHL's Calgary Hitmen last year. He had previous OHL experience in Kingston and Oshawa, where he and Knoblauch coached against one another. They also briefly coached together for Hockey Canada. And a new Goalie Coach also arrives in the person of Peter Aubry from Omaha and Division I College. Aubry also has eight years of experience in the Chicago organization as a developmental coach. Obviously, G.M. Stan Bowman has a take on his abilities. Here is Knoblauch's: 'He'll be able to push those guys and uh…you know, bring a different perspective and hopefully you know elevate them to get those to play at their best more often'. Finally, Connor Allen is the new Team Skills coach. Some big picture thoughts: -It is highly appropriate for Kris Knoblauch to put his own stamp on his coaching staff. He had inherited practically everyone. But having coached the club to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals appearances, he has earned the right. -Having one less coach on the bench is significant. One less set of eyes, yes, but also one less voice that might complicate communication, between the staff yes but also between staff and players. I think this point may be a hidden benefit. There is an old saying 'nothing kills greatness like consensus'. -I believe Glen Gulutzan would have been back had he not gotten the Dallas job. A loss for the organization, but you have to be happy for Gulutzan. His are easily the biggest shoes (or skates, I guess) to fill. McFarland's advantage is that the same elite players are available to deploy. His enthusiasm should be a plus. His record while guiding Seattle's Man Advantage was not great, in the mid-twenties in terms of Expected Goals. To be fair, it was also with talent much inferior to Edmonton's. -The 'loudest' position being filled today is undoubtably with the goaltending. I saw no meaningful improvements available in free agency. Getting the promise you already possess in Stuart Skinner to be more consistent is now job one. The organization has decided against 'tried and true' NHL experience. Aubry has worked with the likes of Anton Forsberg, Kevin Lankinen and Arvid Soderbloom. So, let's see how it goes for him here. -Paul Coffey's contribution in terms of experience and the freeing effect he had on the D-corps to make plays and move the puck more consistently were big pluses. But I also feel a different voice and approach is the correct next step. The mere lack of Coffey's physical presence on the bench and in the room is meaningful. -But I do not mind how 'fresh' these selections are. These are not 'been there, done that' guys that just keep being recycled from team to team. McFarland is not yet forty. It is Aubry's first mainstream NHL gig (after lots of AHL time). Maybe he can come at this with fresh eyes and ideas. All these guys should be hungry and motivated. -One reservation I do have is that there will not be a man on the bench in addition to Knoblauch that has NHL Head Coaching experience. Not that Kris needs it, specifically. I just tend to think that all coaches find it helpful. Will these changes get the Oilers over the top, in terms of their Stanley Cup aspirations? Only time will tell. But we all know what the definition of insanity is…right? Now on Bluesky @ Also, find me on Threads @kleavins, Twitter @KurtLeavins, Instagram at LeavinsOnHockey, and Mastodon at KurtLeavins@ This article is not AI generated. STAPLES: What (if anything) the Edmonton Oilers should do about Carter Hart LEAVINS: Which of thee Oilers prospects will make the biggest impact Bruce McCurdy, 1955-2025. Don't miss the news you need to know — add and to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here.
Edmonton Journal
5 days ago
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Will going "off the board" with new coaches cause the Edmonton Oilers to hit or miss their ultimate target
The Edmonton Oilers have re-vamped their coaching staff. Article content Article content In addition to David's work, here are some more basics along with context and quotes from Head Coach Kris Knoblauch: Article content Paul Coffey is not returning as Defence coach, returning instead to his previous role upstairs. Article content Article content 'We'll still have conversations with Paul, and Paul will still give us his insight on how the team is playing and what we could be doing'. Article content Article content Assistant Coach Mark Stuart had his contract extended and his duties expanded to include the Defence corps in addition to the Penalty Kill. Kris Knoblauch spoke to the fact that in between good runs the kill struggled mightily at times this past season: Article content 'There will be changes to our system, (and) we will be doing things a little bit differently'. Article content Paul McFarland will join Knoblauch behind the bench, help coach the forwards and be responsible for the much-vaunted Oilers Power Play: Article content 'Just the fact that he has been running an NHL power play for many years, started in Toronto, Florida and then Seattle'. Article content McFarlane coached the WHL's Calgary Hitmen last year. He had previous OHL experience in Kingston and Oshawa, where he and Knoblauch coached against one another. They also briefly coached together for Hockey Canada. Article content Article content And a new Goalie Coach also arrives in the person of Peter Aubry from Omaha and Division I College. Aubry also has eight years of experience in the Chicago organization as a developmental coach. Obviously, G.M. Stan Bowman has a take on his abilities. Here is Knoblauch's: Article content 'He'll be able to push those guys and uh…you know, bring a different perspective and hopefully you know elevate them to get those to play at their best more often'. Article content Finally, Connor Allen is the new Team Skills coach. Article content Some big picture thoughts: Article content -It is highly appropriate for Kris Knoblauch to put his own stamp on his coaching staff. He had inherited practically everyone. But having coached the club to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals appearances, he has earned the right. Article content -Having one less coach on the bench is significant. One less set of eyes, yes, but also one less voice that might complicate communication, between the staff yes but also between staff and players. I think this point may be a hidden benefit. There is an old saying 'nothing kills greatness like consensus'.
