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Stan Bowman safe from GM change but hockey ops shuffle coming: Report
Edmonton Oilers Stan Bowman Kris Knoblauch
Photo credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images
Michael Menzies
May 12, 2026, 18:00 EDTUpdated: May 12, 2026, 18:25 EDT
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While Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch’s days appear to be numbered, front office changes are also on the cards, according to insiders. 
Dave Pagnotta of The Fourth Period was a guest on Oilersnation Everyday on Tuesday to discuss the report that the Oilers had asked the Vegas Golden Knights to speak to Bruce Cassidy, despite not firing Knoblauch. 
Beyond the coaching news, Pagnotta believes the Oilers have considered a variety of hockey operations changes. More is coming. 
“The writing seems to be on the wall here, and there will be additional changes within the Oilers’ off-ice brass within hockey ops,” said Pagnotta. “I’ve been told to expect a few different changes in the hockey ops department beyond what looks to be the head coach.
“What I’ve been led to believe is everything is on the table below Jeff Jackson. He’s safe…There’s consideration made across the board for everybody else.” 
Frank Seravalli’s explosive report about Edmonton asking to speak to Cassidy lit a fuse of discussion about the Oilers entire hockey operations. He said the Golden Knights haven’t given an answer to Edmonton’s request for permission. 
Los Angeles is also targeting Cassidy, who is still under contract for another season. 

‘Doesn’t sound like’ Bowman will be fired

Fans and pundits have wondered what the results of the team’s “evaluations” would be, after general manager Stan Bowman used that term to describe the Oilers internal process following a disappointing 2025-26 season. 
But is Bowman’s job on the line as well? 
“Now, it doesn’t sound like they’re going in the direction of making a GM change,” said Pagnotta. 
“I don’t think that they would go in that direction, especially if these additional changes in management and front office are going to occur as I anticipate them to. From what I’m hearing, at least two.” 
Pagnotta added that he believes someone from outside the Oilers will be brought in, while the current staff is shuffled around, elevated, or relieved of their duties. He said an assistant general manager would make sense, but he doesn’t “definitely” know that right now. 
This report is similar to Frank Seravalli’s line of thinking last week, when he said it was “more like that not” that Knoblauch and his staff would be replaced. In that interview with the Fan 590, he talked about a “restructure.” 
“I think there’s likely to be front office changes coming in Edmonton as they reshape and restructure,” Seravalli said last Thursday. 

Coffey’s future

Pagnotta was also asked on ONE whether Paul Coffey could be part of management or in a president’s role, considering his close relationship with owner Daryl Katz. Beyond being on the bench as an assistant coach when Kris Knoblauch was hired in 2023, he was asked to return this season at the Olympic break, as the Oilers struggled defensively. 
Coffey has worked closely with Katz in the past as a special adviser. For example, when Jeff Jackson was initially hired as CEO in 2023, he said he was approached by Katz and Coffey jointly about the job. 
Pagnotta said he doesn’t think Coffey is a possibility for a GM or president role. 
“I don’t even think he wanted to be behind the bench.” 
Michael Menzies is an Oilersnation columnist and co-host of PreGaming and Oilersnation After Dark. He’s also been the play-by-play voice of the Bonnyville Pontiacs in the AJHL since 2019. With seven years of news experience as the Editor-at-Large of Lakeland Connect in Bonnyville, Menzies collects vinyl, books, and stomach issues. Follow him on X at Menzies_4.

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