In a surprising move, the Edmonton Oilers have decided to part ways with head coach Jay Woodcroft and assistant coach Dave Manson following the team’s sluggish start to the 2023-24 NHL season. Despite a recent 4-1 victory against the Seattle Kraken, CEO of hockey operations Jeff Jackson and general manager Ken Holland had already made the decision.
The news of the coaching changes was communicated to Woodcroft and Manson early Sunday morning, indicating a swift response to the team’s disappointing 3-9-1 record.
“We’re in the win-now mode,” defended Holland. “If we would have waited another ten games and if things don’t change, it’s probably too late. So Jeff and I felt something needed to be done.”
Replacing Woodcroft is Kris Knoblauch, who was coaching the Hartford Wolf Pack, the New York Rangers’ AHL affiliate. Knoblauch, previously an assistant coach with the Philadelphia Flyers, has a history with Oilers star Connor McDavid, having coached him for three seasons with the Erie Otters in the Ontario Hockey League.
According to Jackson, the decision to bring in Knoblauch was not influenced by McDavid or other team leaders. “These guys are here to play hockey; they know that. They don’t like being involved in these types of decisions.”
Alongside Knoblauch, hockey legend Paul Coffey, who was already with the organization as an adviser to owner Daryl Katz, will step into the role vacated by Dave Manson.
McDavid, a key player for the Oilers, will now work with his fifth head coach. While the star center had no input in the coaching change, the hope is that the new leadership will positively change the team’s performance.
Despite the team’s challenges, Knoblauch emphasized the need for a quick puck movement strategy and urged star players to alleviate self-imposed pressure.
“I think the most important thing is that your players have to feel good about themselves to perform,” Knoblauch stated. “Right now, I see some guys who are beaten up. They are frustrated. They put so much pressure on themselves to perform, which hasn’t been healthy. Sometimes, you get a new head coach, and it’s a new regular season.”
The Oilers are currently facing goaltending and offensive struggles, and the coaching changes are a strategic move to address these issues and propel the team into a more successful phase. The Oilers want to turn their season around with a fresh coaching perspective.
