Knoblauch is 94-47-10 in his two seasons with the Oilers and has guided them to the Cup Final in each, losing to the Panthers in six games last season. He is 29-18 in 47 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
“Coming in here, I was just trying to adjust some things, adjust some attention to details on what could move the needle, what could be improved and I think we responded really well,” Knoblauch said. “It was always a good hockey team, it was always going to correct itself out sooner or later. Obviously, things changed quite quickly, but I don’t want to say it was myself coming in that had that much of an impact.”
Prior to being hired by Edmonton, Knoblauch was coach of Hartford, the American Hockey League affiliate of the New York Rangers for four seasons from 2019-23, and an assistant with the Philadelphia Flyers from 2017-19.
He also coached Erie of the Ontario Hockey League for five seasons (2012-17), three of which he coached McDavid (2012-15).
“He’s brought a lot to our group especially the calm and poise in pressure situations,” Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse said of Knoblauch. “As a player you always know where you’re at with him and he always brings a positive energy and emotion to the rink and for us, it’s good to see that he’ll be around for a little longer.”
Knoblauch was able to get the most of out of the Oilers the past two seasons taking them where four previous coaches with McDavid and Draisaitl (Woodcroft, Dave Tippett, Ken Hitchcock, Todd McLellan) were unable to.
“Yeah, 100 percent and that’s all you want in this league is honesty and to know day-to-day what’s expected of you,” Nurse said. “That’s what he brings to our group; accountability. He’s been great for our group in that regard too.”
Knoblauch is hoping to guide the Oilers to a Stanley Cup championship during his tenure in Edmonton. His last championship was an OHL title with Erie in 2017, two seasons removed from McDavid.
“I think with any coaching situation, the most important thing is just being yourself and not trying to do something that would be out of character,” Knoblauch said. “You might be able to pull it off for a little while, but the players pick up on that, it’s phony and it’s not genuine, it’s not sincere and that won’t go very far.
“Any coaching position I’ve had, whether it’s junior, the American League or the NHL, I’ve tried to treat it the same. It’s different players at different levels, but they’re still hockey players and coaching hockey is still coaching hockey.”