Kris Knoblauch, the head coach who steered the Edmonton Oilers to back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances, has agreed to a multi-year contract extension with the team. The news was first reported on Friday, October 3, 2025, by TSN's Darren Dreger.
Knoblauch was entering the final year of his contract in the 2025-26 season, making this extension a move to secure his future with the Oilers. Oilers General Manager Stan Bowman had previously indicated that talks with Knoblauch were progressing smoothly.
Since taking over from Jay Woodcroft on November 12, 2023, Knoblauch has had a significant impact on the Oilers. In 151 games, he has led the team to a 94-47-10 record, boasting a .656 points percentage, which is the best in franchise history. In the postseason, Knoblauch has a 29-18 record in 47 games, with a .617 winning percentage, and two Western Conference championships.
Under Knoblauch's leadership, the Oilers finished third in the Pacific Division last year with a 48-29-5 record. They reached the Stanley Cup Final in both 2024 and 2025, though they were defeated by the Florida Panthers in both series. Knoblauch is the first coach since Scotty Bowman to reach the Stanley Cup Final in each of his first two seasons behind the bench. Bowman accomplished this feat with the St. Louis Blues from 1968-1970.
Knoblauch's success in Edmonton is notable, especially considering the team's struggles before his arrival. After a poor start to the 2023-24 season (3-9-1), the Oilers replaced Woodcroft with Knoblauch. The team then went on a remarkable 46-18-5 run, including a franchise-record 16-game winning streak.
Securing Knoblauch with a multi-year extension also signals stability to Oilers captain Connor McDavid, who is eligible for unrestricted free agency. It was widely speculated that McDavid influenced the Oilers' decision to hire Knoblauch, as the two have a prior relationship from their time with the OHL's Erie Otters.
Knoblauch's extension is set to begin in the 2026-27 season. This move allows Knoblauch to enter the upcoming season with job security. Next on the to-do list for the Oilers is an extension for team captain, Connor McDavid.
