With the Edmonton Oilers awaiting the start of their second-round playoff series against the Vancouver Canucks, the mood across Oil Country is sharply focused on the future. Despite this, with the nominees for the Jack Adams award announced there is a call to remember the past. Three worthy coaches received a nomination, none of which are Oilers Coach Kris Knoblauch.
After a disastrous start to the season Knoblauch was hired, promptly returning the Oilers to their expected form of legitimate perennial contenders. Examining whether or not this perceived slight should be taken as a snub involves looking at how this award is usually decided and appreciating the Oilers turnaround.
The narrative
Slow starts are becoming something of an annual trend for the Oilers, but a 2–9–1 start to the 2023–24 season seemed beyond comprehension. The Oilers thought of themselves as a team on the rise, even after setting a high bar with back to back seasons of 100 points and at least one playoff series win. The Oilers were dominating possession, but were unable to translate these results to the scoreboard.
The goaltending and penalty kill were porous. The mental lapses in defensive coverage even more garish as talk about a change to former coach Jay Woodcroft’s system took centre stage. It’s true that both Connor McDavid and Mattias Ekholm were playing at less than 100%, but the Oilers could not have done much worse.
Enter Knoblauch. At the time the coach of the AHL Hartford Wolfpack, the New York Rangers affiliate, Knoblauch was better known for coaching McDavid in the OHL. With McDavid’s former agent Jeff Jackson the newly appointed president of the Oilers, there was concern that the Oilers were pandering to McDavid with the hire in hopes of offsetting the disappointment of a season that might have already slipped away. As McDavid’s contract winds down and UFA status approaches, the Oilers presenting themselves as worthy suitors that can maintain perennial contention is paramount to the future of the team.
At the time, the Oilers maintained that Knoblauch was not hired for his proximity to McDavid, instead citing him as a rising star on the coaching scene. What has ensued is a testament to the Oilers faith in Knoblauch, who helped the Oilers return to form. The team eventually cruised to a playoff spot, even enough to ponder if the team could win the Pacific Division. Ultimately, the Oilers would post a 46–18–5 record under Knoblauch, continuing their strong possession play, and improving in key areas like the penalty kill.
There are other coaches who got credit for the Oilers turnaround. Oilers legend Paul Coffey worked with the defencemen, providing some wisdom and encouraging the blueline to make plays with their legs. Mark Stuart, another former defenceman, took control of the penalty kill, culminating in a dominant first-round performance for the unit.
The case against
Although there is a lot of statistical evidence that Knoblauch deserves consideration for the Jack Adams, there are several other coaches who have cases for the award. It does not help his cause that Knoblauch did not coach a full season. Another strike might be the perceived expectations of the Oilers as a team. Though the dreadful start to the year might have almost derailed the league wide respect for the Oilers roster, Knoblauch merely returned the team to its expected relevance.
Often the Jack Adams goes to coaches who far exceed expectations. This is evidenced by all of the nominees this season. Rick Tocchet brought the Vancouver Canucks to an unexpected division win. Andrew Brunette brought the Nashville Predators to an unexpected playoff spot, turning their season around after not allowing his team to see a concert together just before the all-star break. Rick Bowness gave the Jets a great season amidst a tough personal time, as well as a tense year for the Jets off the ice.
In any given year there are plenty of worthy candidates for the Jack Adams, this year being no different. It is more than likely that Knoblauch received some votes, but it was not enough to earn a nomination. In any case all that matters is that the Oilers have the right coach right now, playing fantastic hockey and in the midst of a playoff run.
