Edmonton Oilers ‘Knew Exactly What They Needed’ Bringing in New Coaches, Head Coach Knoblauch Says with Full Confidence

When you listen to Kris Knoblauch talk about the Edmonton Oilers’ latest coaching hires, there’s no hesitation, no hedging, no vague generalities. There’s clarity. Determination. And above all, belief.

“We knew exactly what we needed,” Knoblauch said with quiet confidence during a press availability earlier this week. “And we went out and got it.”

The Oilers, looking to maintain the momentum that carried them to the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, didn’t just reshuffle the deck—they redefined their support system. And Knoblauch, entering his first full season at the helm after taking over in November 2023, has been instrumental in building a coaching staff he believes will get Edmonton over the hump.

It’s not just about getting close anymore. It’s about finishing. It’s about winning.

The offseason hiring of Glen Gulutzan as associate coach and Mike Yeo as assistant coach signaled a calculated approach from the Oilers’ front office. Both bring extensive NHL experience, different perspectives, and, perhaps most importantly, the kind of versatility and hockey intellect that Knoblauch covets.

“You look at what these guys bring—there’s experience in different systems, different teams, different challenges,” Knoblauch said. “That’s valuable. That’s exactly what this team needs right now.”

For the Oilers, it’s been a summer of sharpening edges. With high-end firepower already in place—Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, Evan Bouchard—the focus has shifted toward maximizing every detail around the core. Coaching strategy, line deployment, power play tweaks, defensive structure—this is where championships are won or lost.

And Knoblauch, alongside GM Ken Holland and President Jeff Jackson, seems to understand that window of opportunity in Edmonton doesn’t last forever. With contract decisions looming and a fanbase thirsty for the Cup that’s eluded them since 1990, urgency pulses through every decision.

“We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel,” Knoblauch continued. “We’re enhancing what we already do well and tightening up areas where we fell short.”

One of those areas was consistency on the back end. Despite a spirited playoff run, Edmonton struggled with defensive lapses during stretches of the regular season and Finals. It’s part of why Yeo’s arrival is seen as critical. Known for his structure-focused systems and emphasis on defensive accountability, Yeo offers a steadying presence behind the bench.

“I’ve worked with Mike before, and I’ve seen how he operates,” Knoblauch said. “He communicates well with players. He knows how to instill discipline without stifling creativity. That’s a fine line—but he walks it better than most.”

Gulutzan, meanwhile, isn’t new to Oil Country. He returns to Edmonton after serving as an assistant under Dave Tippett. His time away coaching in Switzerland and then contributing as an advisor for other NHL clubs has added more depth to his hockey intellect.

“Glen’s understanding of the power play and bench dynamics is elite,” Knoblauch added. “He sees the game in layers. Having someone like that beside you during a tight game, or a playoff series, makes a huge difference.”

The Oilers’ coaching overhaul isn’t just about names on paper—it’s about chemistry. Knoblauch emphasizes the importance of working with people who challenge him, who bring new ideas, and who aren’t afraid to offer a different perspective.

“I don’t want a room where everyone just agrees with me,” he said, cracking a slight smile. “I want ideas flying around. I want us arguing over systems at times. That’s where the best solutions come from.”

This level of openness is something Knoblauch has developed through his time as a head coach in junior hockey and the AHL. Known for his player-friendly but disciplined approach, Knoblauch helped shape players like Connor McDavid during their junior days in Erie. But he’s quick to point out that being a good coach isn’t just about Xs and Os—it’s about understanding people.

“That’s one thing I learned early on,” he said. “You can have the best system in the world, but if your players don’t trust you—or don’t feel heard—it won’t matter.”

The Oilers’ players appear to be buying in. McDavid, who typically keeps his media statements measured, has spoken glowingly of Knoblauch’s approach. Draisaitl has praised the team’s preparation under the new regime. There’s a sense, around the locker room, that this year feels different.

And maybe it needs to be.

The Oilers are no longer the “young team with potential.” They’re battle-hardened. They’ve felt the sting of Stanley Cup defeat. The path forward requires more than talent—it demands flawless preparation, adaptability, and in-game execution.

That’s where the coaching staff comes in.

During the Cup Final, there were moments when Edmonton looked dominant—and moments when it looked disjointed. Knoblauch acknowledges that inconsistency. He sees the late-game breakdowns, the costly penalties, the missed assignments. And he’s addressing them not just through film sessions, but through structural recalibration.

“We’ve identified key areas to improve,” he said. “Special teams, late-game discipline, puck management under pressure. These are all things we’ve built into our summer plans.”

One under-the-radar benefit of the coaching hires? Player development. Both Yeo and Gulutzan have reputations for working closely with younger players and helping them find their footing at the NHL level. With emerging talents like Dylan Holloway, Philip Broberg, and Raphael Lavoie trying to carve out consistent roles, that support becomes invaluable.

Knoblauch sees this too.

“These guys have done it before,” he said. “They know how to get a player from good to great, and from great to elite. It’s not just about managing stars. It’s about growing the entire bench.”

From a fan perspective, the moves offer both hope and reassurance. In the past, the Oilers have been criticized for insular thinking—rehiring former coaches, recycling old voices. But this time, there’s a feeling that Knoblauch and his staff are building something modern. Something flexible. Something poised for June, not just October.

“You can feel that the organization is aligned,” Knoblauch said. “Ownership, management, coaches, players—we’re all pulling in the same direction.”

In a market like Edmonton, where expectations can turn volcanic overnight, that kind of alignment is gold.

Still, Knoblauch is not naïve. He knows the scrutiny is coming. Every coaching decision, every line tweak, every timeout called (or not called) will be dissected. That comes with the territory when you coach in one of the most passionate hockey markets in the world.

But his calm demeanor is unwavering.

“We embrace the pressure,” he said. “That’s why we’re here.”

As the 2025-26 season approaches, the Oilers find themselves in familiar territory—among the league’s elite, expected to contend. But now, with a fortified bench, clearer communication channels, and a head coach who says, without a flicker of doubt, that “we knew exactly what we needed”—the pieces are in place.

What happens next will depend on how quickly the puzzle comes together. But make no mistake: Kris Knoblauch isn’t guessing anymore. He’s building.

And for the Edmonton Oilers, that may be exactly what they needed all along.