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Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mikko Koskinen celebrates with left wing Drake Caggiula and center Cooper Marody in front of head coach Ken Hitchcock. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Jeff Chiu)

Oilers at the Crossroads: Why Another Reset Would Be a Disaster

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By The Old Prof | Last updated Aug 17, 2025 12:30 PM ET

If you’re old enough, you’ll remember the buzz back in 2010. The whole Taylor vs. Tyler debate was the talk of the town. Should the Edmonton Oilers take Taylor Hall or Tyler Seguin?

Fans argued endlessly, wondering which young star would be the cornerstone to bring Edmonton back to glory. When Hall went first overall, the excitement in Oil Country was electric. This pick wasn’t just about one player—it felt like the start of a new era, the kind of moment that would finally lead to playoff runs and maybe even the Stanley Cup.

Every Oilers fan was ready to believe. The hype was real. The city was buzzing with anticipation that this was the missing piece, the spark to ignite a rebuild and push Edmonton back into hockey’s elite. However, as the years passed, the dream of instant success didn’t unfold as hoped.

Instead, what followed was a frustrating pattern of change that left fans wondering: How can a team this talented struggle so much to find stability?

The Oilers Trotted Out Six GMs, 10 Coaches, and a Whole Lot of Whiplash

Since 2010, the Oilers have seen seven general managers walk through the door: Steve Tambellini, Craig MacTavish, Peter Chiarelli, Keith Gretzky (interim), Ken Holland, Jeff Jackson (interim), and now Stan Bowman—hardly enough time for a general manager to make a lasting positive impact.

And the coaching carousel? Even crazier. Nine coaches in 15 years: Tom Renney (who replaced Pat Quinn in 2010), Ralph Krueger, Dallas Eakins, Todd Nelson, Todd McLellan, Ken Hitchcock, Dave Tippett, Jay Woodcroft, and now Kris Knoblauch. Each head coach brought their own style, game plan, and approach to running the locker room.

No wonder the team felt like it was always starting over. Every switch meant adjusting to new systems and philosophies. Players had to relearn roles. Chemistry got reset. It’s exhausting just thinking about it—and for the fans watching year after year, it’s downright maddening.

When Change Became the Oilers’ Default, the Team Fell

Making changes is part of hockey. Understandable. However, when change becomes the norm instead of the exception, it starts to hurt more than it helps. That’s exactly what has happened in Edmonton since that exciting day when Hall put on an Oilers jersey at the draft.

Talent wasn’t the issue. Drafting Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl gave the Oilers two of the NHL’s brightest stars, and Hall is now long gone. But without a steady foundation, everything else felt shaky. Prospects got shuffled. Veteran players got mixed messages. Goalies have come and gone. The team’s identity became hard to pin down.

Jun 6, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) reacts with center Connor McDavid (97) and defenseman Evan Bouchard (2) after scoring a goal against the Florida Panthers during the first period in game two of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images

The big question is, how does a franchise build trust with the fans when the coaching staff and senior management change every other season? How do you develop consistency when the ground keeps moving under your feet?

The Oilers Showed Signs of Progress, Then the Reset—Again

To be fair, there were moments of hope. Under Holland’s leadership, the Oilers finally made a run at respectability and even pushed deep into the playoffs. And then Knoblauch arrived in 2023. He brought calm and confidence, and suddenly, the team was playing like a real contender again—back-to-back trips to the Stanley Cup Final don’t happen by accident.

Knoblauch hasn’t overcomplicated things. He earned players’ trust and got them focused on what mattered. But even after those appearances, Holland was out and Bowman was in (following an interim stint from Jackson). Another shakeup. Which begs the question: Is this really the way to build a winner?

Note to Oilers: Stick with Knoblauch—He’s Earned It

So, here we are—all set for the 2025-26 season following back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances. And let’s be clear: firing Knoblauch at the first sign of a slump would be a huge mistake. He has demonstrated his ability to lead this team. He’s steady under pressure, connected with the locker room, and knows how to get the best out of his players. And, for heaven’s sake, he’s from the area – a University of Alberta grad. It’s home for him.

Jun 3, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers general manager Stan Bowman along with Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch are seen during media day in advance of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images

Hockey teams go through rough patches—no one wins every night. But this team doesn’t need another quick fix or a new voice every year or two. It needs patience. It needs a coach who’s earned trust and has a clear vision. Knoblauch deserves the time and support to finish what he’s started. That’s how lasting success is built—not by hitting the reset button every time things get tough. New general manager. New head coach. Again. Again.

Final Thoughts: Breaking the Cycle

Readers might wonder why discuss a head coach who has led his team to two lengthy Stanley Cup journeys in his two seasons with the team? The answer is that, for years, the Oilers have fallen into the same trap. Lose a few games, shake up the staff, and hope a fresh start changes everything. There’s panic too quickly when things go wrong.

But when zooming out and looking at the whole picture, it hasn’t worked. With Bowman in the general manager role and Knoblauch behind the bench, there’s a real chance to break that cycle. What the team needs now is time—and patience. If Edmonton wants to bring the Stanley Cup back to Oil Country, it won’t be because of another flashy hire. It’ll be because they finally committed to stability and gave their leaders the chance to build something lasting.

Oilers fans can expect a competitive and determined team to take the ice for the 2025-26 season. Expect the usual ups and downs. But most importantly, expect a steady hand guiding the ship. If the Oilers really want to win it all, it’s time to stop chasing quick fixes and trust the process—and the people already here.

[Note: I’d like to thank Brent Bradford (PhD) for his help co-authoring this post. His profile can be found at www.linkedin.com/in/brent-bradford-phd-3a10022a9]