The Edmonton Oilers are searching for a new head coach yet again after firing Kris Knoblauch today. Consequently, with the organization moving on from another bench boss, Connor McDavid is now preparing to play for his sixth head coach in his 12th season in the NHL. For a generational player still in the middle of his prime, that level of turnover is almost unheard of. Honestly, it says a lot about the Oilers’ ongoing struggle to find a formula that actually sticks.
A Revolving Door of Leadership
Since McDavid entered the NHL in 2015, the Oilers have never really been able to establish coaching continuity. It started with Todd McLellan (2015-18), Ken Hitchcock (2018-19), Dave Tippett (2019-22), and then Jay Woodcroft (2022-23). Additionally, the latest one is Knoblauch (2023-present). Through all of it, McDavid has continued to put up historic numbers. He also continues to collect individual awards. Meanwhile, the organization keeps searching for someone who can build a structure around the elite offensive talent already on the roster.
When you look at a lot of the all-time great players, there’s usually one coach tied closely to their prime years. In Edmonton, McDavid has spent the better part of a decade adjusting to new systems. He has also had to adjust to new expectations and different approaches almost every couple of seasons. That’s a lot for any player to handle. Even for one as talented as he is, it remains challenging.
The Pressure on the Next Hire
This next hire feels bigger than just finding someone to manage the power play or juggle the lines properly. Instead, it’s about finally creating some stability around a team that has spent years cycling through coaches. They have been trying to find answers.
The Oilers have shown flashes of being a legitimate Stanley Cup contender, but they haven’t been able to sustain that success under one voice long enough for it to fully come together. Every time a coach is fired in Edmonton, it feels like the pressure ramps up even more around McDavid and the direction of the franchise. Especially now more than ever, this is true considering he only has two years remaining on his contract.
Six coaches in 11 seasons is usually the kind of stat tied to a rebuilding franchise near the bottom of the standings, not a team built around one of the greatest players of this generation.
McDavid has done everything expected of him and more. He’s produced, led, handled pressure, and given the Oilers a chance year after year. At some point, the organization needs to match that consistency around him by finally finding a coach who lasts.
McDavid’s Next Coach Will Be His Sixth in 12 NHL Seasons