The Edmonton Oilers made a major coaching decision on Sunday. Edmonton has fired head coach Jay Woodcroft after a disastrous start to the 2023-24 season. This decision comes at an interesting time, as Woodcroft just helped his team to a 4-1 win on Saturday night. However, the win wasn't enough to save his job.

On Sunday, general manager Ken Holland met with the media after firing Woodcroft. He thanked his former bench boss for the work he's put in over these last few seasons. And he revealed when discussions around a coaching change became more and more serious.

“Kept hoping we were going to win a game, and after we lost the game against San Jose (3-2) on Thursday night, [Oilers CEO Jeff Jackson] and I started to talk really seriously, ‘Should we consider making a coaching change,’ and obviously made a decision to make that decision,” Holland said, via NHL.com.

The Oilers will now be coached by Kris Knoblauch, who comes from the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, an affiliate of the New York Rangers. Knoblauch coached Oilers superstar Connor McDavid during McDavid's time with the OHL's Erie Otters.

Woodcroft took over the Oilers after the team fired Dave Tippett in February 2022. He led the team to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in both years. In fact, Edmonton made the 2022 Western Conference Finals under his watch. However, the Oilers lost to the defending Stanley Cup champion both seasons under Woodcroft.

The Oilers had their eyes on contending for a Cup in 2023-24. Unfortunately, their 3-9-1 start to the season has put their ability to contend in serious doubt. Let's see if this coaching change sparks Edmonton and helps them turn this thing around.