Edmonton Oilers face crucial offseason with Connor McDavid extension and Kris Knoblauch decision pending

The Edmonton Oilers have turned into perennial Stanley Cup contenders, reaching the Final in back-to-back seasons (2023–24 and 2024–25). But with head coach Kris Knoblauch entering the final year of his contract and superstar Connor McDavid approaching free agency, the franchise is entering one of its most pivotal offseasons in recent memory.

Knoblauch’s contract status sparks questions before 2025–26 season

Kris Knoblauch took over as Oilers head coach in 2023 and has since transformed the team into a powerhouse in the Western Conference. With two straight Stanley Cup Final appearances under his belt, his leadership has proven instrumental. But as his original three-year contract enters its final season, the lack of a new deal is drawing increased attention.Knoblauch recently addressed his contract situation in a press conference on July 14, revealing there have been only “slight talks” about an extension.

Oilers GM Stan Bowman, however, made it clear he wants to keep the coach in Edmonton. “I think Kris has done a fantastic job,” Bowman said. “We’ve got a lot of things to sort through, but I expect we’ll get to that.”

Knoblauch emphasized that his current focus remains on staffing and roster decisions, including the search for a new goalie coach. Still, he expressed his desire for long-term stability, indicating he’d like to stay in Edmonton.

With training camp approaching, both fans and analysts expect extension talks to resume soon.

All eyes on Connor McDavid’s future in Edmonton

While Knoblauch’s future is a topic of discussion, the bigger storyline is Connor McDavid’s looming free agency. The 28-year-old captain has one year left on his eight-year, $100 million contract, which carries a $12.5 million AAV. If not re-signed before July 1, 2026, he will become an unrestricted free agent, and speculation about his next move is already heating up.Stan Bowman has made it clear that re-signing McDavid is the franchise’s top priority. “Connor’s the most important player in the League… and our No. 1 priority,” he said. McDavid, however, remains non-committal for now, stating he’ll take time to regroup and consult with his agent and family.Also Read: Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews, and Leon Draisaitl’s fiancée Celeste Desjardins spotted jamming to Justin Bieber’s surprise album “Swag”McDavid’s 2024–25 season was another masterclass, with 100 points in 67 games and a dominant postseason. Oilers fans are holding their breath, hoping both their head coach and franchise cornerstone commit to the team’s long-term future.