
The Hockey News Predicts a Challenging 2026‑27 Season for the Edmonton Oilers
The Hockey News projects the Oilers to finish near the bottom of the league next season, raising questions about their playoff prospects.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Kris Knoblauch across Hockey.

The Hockey News projects the Oilers to finish near the bottom of the league next season, raising questions about their playoff prospects.

The Edmonton Oilers are navigating a pivotal season as new coaching tactics and young talent promise both opportunity and uncertainty.

After a record‑setting season under Pascal Vincent, the Laval Rocket appoints Daniel Jacob as head coach, leveraging his AHL and junior hockey experience to maintain the team’s strong defensive standards.

After a mixed tenure marked by both promise and predictability, Kris Knoblauch’s departure from the Oilers opens a pivotal chapter for the franchise and the coach alike.

The Detroit Red Wings have opened a leadership vacuum after Steve Yzerman stepped down, prompting a search that includes former executive Ryan Martin and other AHL general managers.

From Chicago’s struggling bench to Edmonton’s Cup‑or‑bust expectations, the league’s lowest‑ranked coaches are under intense scrutiny as the new season unfolds.

From how he will handle Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to which veterans might earn his favor, Edmonton’s faithful are eager to see how Babcock’s structured approach translates to the ice.

After a steep drop in production following his move to Edmonton, forward Trent Frederic is showing signs of regaining his former form, a development that could reshape his role on the Oilers’ roster.

With a record‑breaking offer sheet for Leo Carlsson setting a new benchmark, the Oilers are poised to secure Matt Savoie now to avoid a costly second‑contract surge.

The Edmonton Oilers have appointed Mike Babcock as head coach after the NHL cleared him following an investigation. The move, championed by CEO Jeff Jackson and supported by league commissioner Gary Bettman, comes amid criticism from former players and a history of polarizing coaching methods.

Edmonton’s front office has secured Connor Murphy through 2029, a move that follows Jason Dickinson’s extension and signals a deliberate push to sharpen a defense that could finally unlock a championship for Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

Colorado Avalanche coach Jared Bednar faces a pivotal decision as the front office weighs his future and the team’s direction for the 2026‑27 season.

The NHL has concluded a review of Mike Babcock’s time in Columbus, removing obstacles to a possible hiring by the Edmonton Oilers, while the coach’s recent resignation over privacy concerns and his storied career remain central to the discussion.

The National Hockey League has cleared coach Mike Babcock to return to the bench, removing a major hurdle for the Edmonton Oilers as they search for a new head coach after parting ways with Kris Knoblauch.

The National Hockey League is examining the circumstances behind Mike Babcock’s short-lived coaching stint with the Columbus Blue Jackets, a period marked by allegations of misconduct and a request for personal photos that sparked player backlash.

The National Hockey League has launched an inquiry into the abrupt resignation of Mike Babcock as head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets, a move sparked by privacy concerns and a series of controversial coaching tactics that have reverberated across the league.

The Edmonton Oilers defenseman has hinted at a shortlist of suitors while the club navigates a coaching change and a captain’s renewed commitment to a championship run.

The players' union has asked the NHL to examine Mike Babcock’s brief stint with the Columbus Blue Jackets, raising questions about his future in the league.

The Oilers are consulting the NHLPA as several players back the hiring of former Red Wings coach Mike Babcock, a move that could reshape the franchise.

Recent hockey action features seven Bruins in the IIHF tournament, the Mariners' playoff exit, Yemelyanov's cup run, Montreal's series win, and a flurry of coaching interview clearances ahead of the conference finals.

Macklin Celebrini will lead Canada at the World Championships with Sidney Crosby as an alternate, while the San Jose Sharks sign Carson Wetsch and lock in the 20th overall pick. Additional updates include schedule releases, CHL honors, and coaching dismissals across the league.

The Edmonton Oilers have dismissed head coach Kris Knoblauch and assistant Mark Stuart, opening the door for veteran Bruce Cassidy to potentially take the helm and reshape a roster that has struggled with impulsive decisions.

The latest updates see the Boston Bruins lose assistant GM Jamie Langenbrunner, the Vancouver Canucks appoint Ryan Johnson as GM, the Vegas Golden Knights reach the Western Conference Final, and the Montreal Canadiens take a 3‑2 series edge. Coaching vacancies in Edmonton and Toronto add further intrigue, while the CHL’s Top 50 honors Mario Lemieux as the greatest player of the last half‑century.

Islanders’ Matthew Schaefer celebrates a Calder triumph, Ryan Lin eyes a top‑10 draft slot, and several teams navigate coaching and management shifts as the postseason unfolds