Oilers’ GM Stan Bowman under fire after ‘horrible job’ in 2025-26 NHL season

“You don’t think that there’s circumstances you’re telling me Stan Bowman can go out there, the guy that scored the game-winner Kulak, last night,” Bowman said, pointing to Brett Kulak’s OT goal in round 2 of the Stanley Cup playoffs for the Colorado Avalanche. “They just had to get rid of him and bring in some different pieces.”

The Oilers finished 29th in save percentage at .883. Jarry struggled badly, while Edmonton surrendered 4.33 goals per game during the Anaheim series. Kulak, meanwhile, got traded to Colorado from Pittsburgh and became the exact type of steady defender Edmonton lacked after the trade.

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O’Neill also pointed to questionable cap management despite Connor McDavid taking a below-market extension to help management improve the roster.

“You know, who they signed? Jake Walman [and Trent Frederick,]” O’Neill said. “Trent Frederick, they had to give an eight-year deal to. So, there’s mistakes there, and you just gotta gas the coach.”

Frederic’s eight-year contract immediately became one of the league’s most criticized deals after he managed only seven points in 74 games. In the playoffs, he had no points in four games.

Oilers’ coaching change will not solve structural flaws

Former Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch at Rogers Arena

Knoblauch deserved criticism for Edmonton’s defensive regression and broken penalty kill, but the larger issue was roster imbalance. The Oilers remained heavily dependent on McDavid and Leon Draisaitl while receiving almost no depth scoring.

Injuries worsened the situation, but contenders survive injuries through structure and depth. Edmonton had neither by spring.

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Former NHL goalie Jamie McLennan summed up the broader frustration during the same TSN segment.

“Everyone has to own it,” McLennan said.

That is now the pressure facing Bowman. McDavid’s contract discount created a rare championship window, yet Edmonton burned assets trying to repair mistakes made months earlier. Another coaching hire may calm the noise temporarily, but around the league, many executives believe the real questions sit above the bench.