Oilers insider names former Sportsnet analyst to join Edmonton as assistant coach
Photo credit: USA Today Sports
One of the Edmonton Oilers' next priorities for this offseason will be hiring a new slate of assistant coaches to join Kris Knoblauch on the bench.
Insiders reported previously this season that all assistant coach contracts have expired, and the team will look to make some changes. Knoblauch will get significant say as an established head coach now, and changes will be coming.
Oilers analyst names former Sportsnet analyst, Buffalo Sabres coach Don Granato as assistant coach option
According to former Oilers insider Jim Matheson, one name that could be an option is former Sabres coach and Sportsnet analyst Don Granato.
Granato has been a head coach in some capacity dating back to 1993-94, and headed the Buffalo Sabres for three seasons from 2021-2024. His Buffalo teams did horribly in the standings, but it's hard to blame him for the roster mess and stink of the Sabres.
He's got no personal history with Knoblauch, but if the Oilers coach sees a quality hockey mind in Granato, he's certainly one of the most experienced options available.
Additionally, Oilers insider Bob Stauffer recently reported on an episode of OilersNow that the team could be looking to extend Kris Knoblauch this summer.
«I also think at some point here, there's got to be a discussion on extending Kris Knoblauch.
He is the first coach since Stan's father, Scotty Bowman, to go to Stanley Cup in his final in his first two years as a head coach. Since Kris has been hired on November 12th of 2023, Kris has won more games as a coach in the NHL between the regular season playoffs than any other coach.
- Bob Stauffer
He is the first coach since Stan's father, Scotty Bowman, to go to Stanley Cup in his final in his first two years as a head coach. Since Kris has been hired on November 12th of 2023, Kris has won more games as a coach in the NHL between the regular season playoffs than any other coach.
- Bob Stauffer
Coach Knoblauch has proven himself to be a master-level tactician in his two years with the Oilers. He constantly switches up the lines which can sometimes annoy fans, but more often than not, his changes are bang-on. He deserves the extension, and to form his own coaching staff.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 10 | 455 ANSWERS Oilers insider names former Sportsnet analyst to join Edmonton as assistant coach Do you think the Oilers should hire Granato and extend Knoblauch? | ||
| Yes | 345 | 75.8 % |
| No | 110 | 24.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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