POLLS     NHL     FACEBOOK

HOUSE OF HOCKEY


Oilers' Kris Knoblauch responds to McDavid and Draisaitl, adding to the locker room tension


PUBLICATION
Jack Sutherland
March 24, 2026  (6:47 PM)
SHARE THIS STORY

Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch watches the play against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the third period at Scotiabank Arena.
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch appeared to call out the entire team amidst recent criticism, saying they all must look in the mirror and elevate their performances after the injury to Leon Draisaitl.

The Edmonton Oilers are still adjusting to life without superstar forward Leon Draisaitl, who was injured and has been ruled out for the rest of the regular season.
Things haven't gone as well for the Oilers since then, who are still struggling to find some consistency to their game.
Now, Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch is pouring some gas on that criticism by saying every player on the team needs o look in the mirror.
When things are going well, there's usually very little criticism. When there's losing being had, and you're not having the success that you anticipated, then yeah, everyone needs to look in the mirror. - Kris Knoblauch
Nothing is assured for the Oilers, even with the talent that they have. And if they are to go on another deep playoff run, they need to fix their longstanding issues, starting with the goaltending.

Connor McDavid Clarified He Was Not Targeting Knoblauch With Comments

After a recent loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, Connor McDavid gushed over the Lightning coaching staff and how well prepared their team was, leading some to believe that he was calling out his own coaching staff.
But McDavid later clarified his comments by saying he was not meaning to sound as if he was calling out Edmonton's coaching staff.
No, no, I'm not taking shots. It's just everybody can be better, myself included. Everybody can be better. It was more just complimentary of a great team in this league that came in and played a good game, nothing more than that.

Yeah, I'm not sure how it was taken that way, it wasn't supposed to be that way. I understand, obviously, how people could look at it that way, but it's not what I was intending to do at all. - Connor McDavid

McDavid is hoping to lead the Oilers to a third straight berth in the Stanley Cup Final.
POLL
MARS 24|184 ANSWERS
Oilers' Kris Knoblauch responds to McDavid and Draisaitl, adding to the locker room tension

Is Kris Knoblauch the right coach for the Oilers?

Yes4222.8 %
No14277.2 %
List of polls

HOUSE OF HOCKEY
COPYRIGHT @2026 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
TERMS OF SERVICE - PRIVACY POLICY - COOKIE POLICY
RSS FEED - SITEMAP - ROBOTS.TXT