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Let’s not let impatience blow up the Edmonton Oilers — not now
Published May 02, 2026 • Last updated 1 hour ago • 3 minute read
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Head Coach Kris Knoblauch speaks to the media in the Edmonton Oilers Hall of Fame Room, after the team was eliminated in the first round of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs, in Edmonton Saturday May 2, 2026. Photo by David Bloom /PostmediaArticle content
For the past three years, sportswriters and broadcasters congregated in the Edmonton Oilers Hall of Fame Room in Rogers Place on May mornings for playoff updates when the Oilers were in the thick of the post-season.
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It’s like clockwork. Especially Saturday mornings: having a meaningful hockey game on Hockey Night in Canada, on a Saturday night … well, things didn’t get much better.
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We also gathered when the team was facing elimination, wondering if the magician was still on the Oilers payroll, and if the proverbial rabbit would, once again, jump out of the hat.
We left the room, adjusted our baseball caps, and to make idle conversation, asked each other if the Oilers could, once again. Come through.
But we all knew the answer.
And if it was in May we were right.
I tuned into Saturday morning’s press conference as the Oilers GM Stan Bowman, head coach Kris Knoblauch and select players addressed the state of the team following their Round 1 exit in Game 6 at the sticks and gloves of the Anaheim Ducks.
There was a common theme from everyone at the podium.
They have to be better.
Respected sports commentator Frank Seravalli made an interesting remark on Sports 1440 last week. The subject: Oilers owner Daryl Katz, known for his impatience, Seravalli wondered how impatient Katz would become if the Oilers were ousted from the playoffs.
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Because when things go sideways the default position is to make changes.
Not now.
But right now.
Everyone, as they should be, is on watch.
Bowman was specifically asked about the future of Knoblauch.
As expected, the GM did not make any big announcements, nor show his true hand.
Yet, Bowman said when you lose – and perhaps the way the Oilers lost – everyone in the organization’s role will be looked at.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting – something everyone knows.
The Connor McDavid clock has officially started.
After giving the Oilers one hell of a hometown discount, leaving millions and millions of dollars on the table.
But it’s only a two-year deal.
If the Oilers fail to win, then what?
There is, perhaps, one consoling fact: hockey great Steve Yzerman was 32 years old when he won his first Stanley Cup in 1997.
McDavid will be 30 for next year come playoff time.
Just sayin’.
Let’s go back to the notion of finding out a way to sneak out small, tiny, steps when they have their backs against the wall.
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I don’t think you can teach that … much like you can’t McDavid and Leon Draisaitl how to pass and skate.
It’s something special.
And that’s why surgeon’s hands are needed to handle what changes are to be made.
Replacing Knoblauch would be a grave mistake.
The whole hang-on-we’re-coming-back mentality and resolve for this current Oilers version came under Knoblauch.
Whether it’s pushing the right buttons just at the right time, or implementing a news drill, defensive schemes, or other things, Knoblauch knows that intangible feeling of raising up at the right time.
This isn’t about being down 3-1 in a series or a game, or being down three games to one in the Stanley Cup Finals.
This is about finding ways to achieve ultimate success before the current generation of the Edmonton Oilers.
People might suggest these are unsettling times for the Oilers.
But they are exactly where they want to be.
C’mon, I say.
Drop the puck.
Let’s play.
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