In today’s NHL rumors rundown, there is talk about a potential coaching change for the Edmonton Oilers. Is the head coach on the hot seat, or is the team simply looking at adding another voice behind the bench? Meanwhile, the Toronto Maple Leafs are evaluating potential trade targets, including, but not limited to, Travis Konecny. Finally, Artemi Panarin discussed the factors that led to his trade to the Los Angeles Kings following a brief contract dispute with the Rangers.
Oilers Coaching Controversy Heats Up
The Edmonton Oilers’ recent struggles have intensified speculation around head coach Kris Knoblauch. After losses to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday and the Calgary Flames on Wednesday, Leon Draisaitl openly criticized nearly every facet of the team, from defense to goaltending and special teams. Now, with an Olympic break, there will be speculation about changes.
While a coaching change isn’t imminent, names like veteran Peter DeBoer have already surfaced as potential replacements.
David Staples of the Edmonton Journal writes:
“I don’t necessarily expect anybody to get fired, and certainly not head coach Kris Knoblauch, who has taken the team to two straight Stanley Cup Finals. But if you read the tea leaves — as mainly presented by the ultimate Oilers media insider Bob Stauffer on his show today — I’m betting that the Oilers will finally bring back Paul Coffey to coach the defence and run the defence during games.”
source – ‘It sounds like change is coming in Edmonton Oilers coaching staff’ – David Staples – Edmonton Journal – 02/05/2026
If a head coaching change is inevitably made, DeBoer, the former Dallas Stars coach, would have to be considered the frontrunner. He is out of the NHL but will serve as an assistant coach for Team Canada at the upcoming Winter Olympics.
Related: Red Wings Have Earned Trade Deadline Reinforcements
If Paul Coffey returns behind the bench, it will be intriguing to see how this changes things. He begrudngingly took the job the last time as a favor to owner Darryl Katz and previously helped improve Edmonton’s defense, boosting two-way play from key defensemen like Evan Bouchard, Mattias Ekholm, and Darnell Nurse.
Maple Leafs Eye Travis Konecny as Trade Target?
The Toronto Maple Leafs will use the Olympic break to evaluate roster options and potential trades. They are exploring ways to boost their playoff chances, including a Bobby McMann trade or the potential acquisition of Philadelphia Flyers forward Travis Konecny.
Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos wrote:
“I’m not putting any Philadelphia Flyers on the board quite yet, but I’m hearing they are willing to swing big, if not now, then certainly this summer. When that comes to pass, the biggest pieces they could move out in a blockbuster are Owen Tippett and Travis Konecny.”
While Kypreos didn’t say there were talks between the Maple Leafs and Flyers, he’s a Leafs analyst who floats potential targets for Toronto out into the world. It’s not hard to connect the dots here. Toronto sits well back of a wild-card spot, leaving general manager Brad Treliving to consider both buying and selling options ahead of the Olympic break. Konecny, 28, has tallied 54 points through 55 games this season and is in year one of an eight-year, $70 million extension with Philadelphia.
Panarin Moves On to Kings After Rangers Stalemate
Artemi Panarin has officially joined the Los Angeles Kings on a two-year, $22 million deal, and he’s already discussing the reasons behind his split with the New York Rangers. During his introductory press conference, Panarin revealed that earlier contract talks with New York left him uncertain about how badly the Rangers wanted to keep him around. He described the exchange as lukewarm, prompting him to explore other options.
He said that they didn’t talk much after it was clear he wasn’t a priority for them.
As for choosing LA, he noted, he wanted to go there and had no other plans beyond the Kings. “I was not ready to pick a team where I didn’t want to go,” Panarin said. It was his conversations with teammate Vladislav Gavrikov that sold him.
Panarin expressed no bitterness toward the Rangers but emphasized that he wasn’t looking to move around and wanted stability. The Kings are hoping the star forward can provide the scoring punch they need, but it made sense to take a relatively small gamble on a short-term contract with a proven offensive driver.
