Oilers to sign head coach Kris Knoblauch to extension

Kris Knoblauch is being rewarded for his two Stanley Cup Final appearances.

The Edmonton Oilers are set to give their head coach a contract extension, Sportsnet confirmed Friday.

After replacing Jay Woodcroft in November 2023, Knoblauch has guided the Oilers to the past two Stanley Cup Finals. Edmonton lost both series against the Florida Panthers.

Knoblauch was entering the final season of his original three-year deal.

The 47-year-old native of Imperial, Sask. coached Oilers star Connor McDavid in junior with the Erie Otters before joining the pro ranks as coach of the Hartford Wolf Pack, the AHL affiliate of the New York Rangers, for four-plus seasons.

Knoblauch has a record of 94-47-10 in the regular season in his time with the Oilers.

With McDavid unsigned beyond this season, the Oilers face heavy pressure to make another run in 2025-26.