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Kris Knoblauch Outsmarts the Media with a Mastermind Move at Team Practice

Originally posted on Hockey Latest | By Daniel Lucente | Last updated Jun 12, 2025 11:11 AM ET

Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch is full of tricks up his sleeve, and he pulled a fast one on media members by tricking them into thinking it was an off day.

Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch did the right thing today, excluding the press from his team's practice to allow the players some much-needed quiet and focus in preparation for their next game.

Sportsnet's Gene Principe first reported: 'It was expected to be a quiet day away from the rink but unofficially 16 players skated for the Edmonton 0ilers, including 97 and 29.'

Reporters thought only healthy scratches would be present so many stayed away

It was a full practice, just without the reporters watching, as Knoblauch pulled a fast one and made it seem like it was initially going to be an off day.

As TSN's Ryan Rishaug reported: 'Media told it would be scratches only, and no time was given for the skate. Clearly feeling they need to give their guys a break from a Stanley cup spotlight that is getting hot. Have covered well over a dozen finals and never had this happen before.'

Mark Spector of Sportsnet: 'Oilers pull a fast one on the Stanley Cup media contingent, claiming an off day for the players. Then they skated. Subterfuge.'

The Athletic's Daniel Nugent-Bowman: 'This was declared a day off, so there was no reason for most reporters to go to the rink. (The coach did his avail on Zoom, which is another issue entirely.) Fans don't care about media gripes, but this isn't a great look for a league that should be craving any coverage it gets.'

Journalist Daniel Nugent-Bowman was right: fans don't care about media complaints. As long as there is plenty of coverage, opinion, and interviews with their darling players, and there is plenty these days, fans are content.

Reporters likely understood the reasoning behind Knoblauch's action, even if they didn't like it, and there likely still are a handful who weren't too pleased. But as an Oilers fan, the goal is clear: win the game. That trumps everything.

This article first appeared on Hockey Latest and was syndicated with permission.

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