Oilers Granted Permission to Speak With Craig Berube

Mar 25, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube directs a player onto the ice during the third period against the New York Rangers at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images Mar 25, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube directs a player onto the ice during the third period against the New York Rangers at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Oilers Granted Permission to Speak With Craig Berube

Originally posted on Total Apex Sports | By Alex Neier | Last updated May 18, 2026 12:23 PM ET

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The Edmonton Oilers took a meaningful step in their coaching search Monday morning, securing permission to speak with former Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube. Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman first reported the development, confirming that Edmonton has the green light to begin conversations with the 60‑year‑old bench boss.

This move doesn’t guarantee Berube will be the next man behind the Oilers’ bench, but it signals that general manager Stan Bowman is wasting no time exploring every viable option after a turbulent week in Edmonton.

Why the Oilers Are Moving Quickly

The Oilers dismissed head coach Kris Knoblauch last Thursday, just days after the team’s first‑round playoff exit at the hands of the Anaheim Ducks. Knoblauch’s tenure was complicated: he guided Edmonton to back‑to‑back Stanley Cup Final appearances, yet the organization ultimately felt the team needed a new voice to push them over the top..

With Connor McDavid entering the final two years of his contract, the Oilers don’t have the luxury of time. Every coaching decision now carries weight, urgency, and scrutiny.

Berube’s Resume: Championship Pedigree, Mixed Recent Results

Berube arrives on the market after being fired by the Maple Leafs last Wednesday. Toronto stumbled to a 32‑36‑14 record this season, finishing last in the Atlantic Division and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016. That downturn came just one year after Berube led the Leafs to a division title and a second‑round playoff berth.

Despite the disappointing finish, Berube’s résumé remains respectable. He won the Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues in 2019 and owns a career regular‑season record of 365‑252‑90 across eight seasons. His reputation as a demanding, defensively structured coach could appeal to an Oilers team that has struggled to consistently suppress chances in high‑leverage moments.

What Comes Next for Edmonton

A formal interview between Berube and the Oilers is expected, according to TSN’s Ryan Rishaug, who noted that initial conversations between Berube and Bowman have already taken place.

Edmonton has also shown interest in former Vegas Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy, but permission to speak with him has not been granted. That leaves Berube as the most accessible high‑profile candidate at this stage of the search.

The Oilers’ coaching hunt is far from over, but the organization is clearly signaling that it won’t sit idle while waiting for other teams to open doors. Berube’s availability — and his willingness to engage — gives Edmonton a legitimate option as they evaluate the next leader of a roster built to win now.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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