The Edmonton Oilers made a big move on Sunday, relieving head coach Jay Woodcroft of his duties after three seasons with the club.
In a corresponding move, the Oilers announced that Kris Knoblauch will take over as the new coach, elevating him from his prior role as coach of the New York Rangers’ AHL affiliate in Hartford.
Assistant coach Dave Manson is also out, with Hockey Hall of Famer Paul Coffey taking his place.
The news comes after the Oilers’ 4-1 win over the Seattle Kraken on Saturday night.
After 13 games, the Oilers currently sit with a 3-9-1 record that has them second-last in the Pacific Division, ahead of only the league-worst San Jose Sharks, who actually beat the Oilers by a score of 3-2 on Thursday.
The 45-year-old from Imperial, Sask has history with some of the Oilers, who coached the Erie Otters from the 2012-13 season to 2016-17, winning OHL coach of the year in 2015-16 and winning an OHL championship in 2016-17.
Among the Otters he coached were current Oilers players Warren Foegle, Connor Brown and Connor McDavid.
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