On July 14, the Edmonton Oilers issued a statement regardingsignificant alterations to their coaching team. The 2024-25 Oilers coaching team no longer includes goalie coach Dustin Schwartz, Glen Gulutzan, who was appointed as head coach of the Dallas Stars, and Paul Coffey, who has transitioned to a special advisor position for owner Daryl Katz. For the 2025-26 season, Paul McFarland, a specialist in power-play strategies, Peter Aubry, who will serve as the new goalie coach, and Connor Allen, who will focus on skills development, have joined the staff.
With the recent attention on coaches, I began reflecting on their impactof all 18 head coachesIn the history of the Oilers, and who I believe are their top five. Ranking from five to number one, here's my list:
5. Ron Low
1995-1999
.466% Winning Percentage
The reason Ron Low is so highly regarded in the history of Oilers head coaches is because he was truly capable of achieving success against all odds, particularly before the NHL implemented the salary cap. Low led the Oilers to 139 wins and 162 losses during his tenure as coach, and they missed the playoffs on two occasions, but it was his performance in the playoffs that has earned him a prominent place. In the first round of the 1997 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Oilers faced the Stars, and they managed to defeat the heavily favored Stars 4 games to 3 thanks to anremarkable save by Curtis Josephand a game-winning goal by Todd Marchant. It stood out as one of the most thrilling series in Oilers' history.
The following season, with Low's direction, the Oilers were able to defeat the Stanley Cup hopeful Colorado Avalanche in Game 7.of their initial round series in 1998With Joseph surpassing the legendary goaltender Patrick Roy. Both of these series victories under Low's leadership were significant achievements for a team that was at a disadvantage compared to the Dallas and Colorado franchises, which invested nearly twice as much. I can envision how effectively Low would have performed if he had coached during the salary cap era.
4. Craig MacTavish
2001-2009
.537% Winning Percentage
Craig MacTavish Won three Stanley Cups as a player with the Oilers and, as head coach, led the team to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final in 2006, where they were defeated by the Carolina Hurricanes. McTavish had a talent for inspiring his team and knowing exactly when to apply pressure with his squad over the years. He was an exceptional motivator, strategist, and overall formidable hockey intellect.He was also aware of how to assess potential.and could be most recognized for choosing Darnell Nurse and upcoming star Leon Draisaitl during his tenure as general manager in the 2013 and 2014 NHL Drafts.
3. Kris Knoblauch
2024-2026
.656% Winning Percentage
What has Kris Knoblauch Achieved in his one and three-quarter seasons with the Oilers? Not much else but leading the team to two consecutive Western Conference Championships. His composed attitude on the Oilers' bench and his skill in understanding his players have placed him highly on the overall ranking. He possesses a remarkable talent for putting the right player into the lineup at exactly the right moment. Fromplacing goalie Calvin Pickard in the netin Game 4 of the Oilers' second-round playoff matchup against the Vancouver Canucks in 2024 toputting Kasperi Kapanen in the starting line-upagainst the Vegas Golden Knights in 2025, he ended up scoring the game-winning goal that sealed the series, even though he had not played in the first nine playoff games.
It will be intriguing to observe how Knobluach performs with a revised coaching team, and if he can lead the Oilers to their sixth Stanley Cup title in the team's history.
2. John Muckler
1990-1991
.531% Winning Percentage
John Muckler is placed at No. 2 on the list due to his exceptional leadership in guiding the Oilers to their fifth Stanley Cup in 1990. During the first round of the Smythe Division Playoffs, the Oilers faced the Winnipeg Jets and were forced to rely on inexperienced goaltender Bill Ranford after a serious injury to the legendary Grant Fuhr. Ranford and the Oilers started poorly, falling behind 3 games to 1 against the Jets, but Ranford eventually found his form, and the revitalized Oilers won three consecutive games to defeat the Jets in seven matches. Following that series, the Oilers remained strong, defeating the Los Angeles Kings in four straight games in the second round, and then overcoming the Chicago Blackhawks in six games during the Western Conference Final. The highlight of Muckler's success came when the Oilers defeated the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup Final, winning four games to one.with an unexpected forward, Petr Klima, scoring the winning goalin the third extra period of Match 1.
Muckler won the Stanley Cup due to his exceptional strategic skills and ability to inspire. When he passed away in 2021, former Oilers defenseman Kevin Lowepaid tribute to Mucklerby stating, "I truly think our victory was due to the systems created by John Muckler and (assistant coach) Teddy Green, and backed by Slats (Sather)."
1. Glen Sather
1980-1994
.616% Winning Percentage
Glen Satheris ranked number one on the list of top Oilers coaches in history, not only because of his remarkable achievement of four Stanley Cup victories, but also due to his foresight, patience, and faith in his players. Critics argue that it's simple to win a Stanley Cup when you have Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Paul Coffey, Jari Kurri, and Grant Fuhr on your team. However, it's not as straightforward as it seems. The Oilers under Sather's leadership possessed immense talent, but they developed a belief in their potential thanks to Sather. Having played in the NHL and WHA for just over ten years, he gained valuable insights from coaches such as Scotty Bowman, Harry Sinden, and Emile Francis. He understood how to assess situations, motivate with both strength and a more gentle approach, and instilled confidence in the young Oilers that they had never truly felt before.
Sather not only led the Oilers to four Stanley Cup titles as their head coach, but he also directed Team Canada to a Canada Cup win in 1984. He left the Oilers organization on May 26, 2000,after 25 years of being part of the organization. Although he later coached the New York Rangers and served as their general manager, Sather will forever be remembered for his success while leading the Oilers.
Honourable Mention
If this were a top 10 ranking, you could include the names of outstanding Oilers coaches such as Ted Green, Kevin Lowe, Todd McLellan, and possibly othersJay Woodcroftand perhaps even Ken Hitchcock. Who would be your top five Oilers coaches? And in what sequence would you place them? Share your list in the comments section, and let the discussion start.
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