Oilers Stanley Cup Champion reportedly let go from coaching job

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Liam McCormick
September 25, 2024 (6:37 PM)

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Oilers Stanley Cup Champion Steve Smith is reportedly available for a coaching job after being let go by the Hartford Wolf Pack.

Now 61 years old, Steve Smith was coaching with Hartford Wolf Pack in the AHL for the last four years. Coach Kris Knoblauch was the head coach in Hartford when the Oilers hired him, and Smith was promoted to his position. After getting them back into the playoffs and to the third round of the playoffs, Smith was not re-hired by Hartford.

Steve Smith has a long history with the Edmonton Oilers and a few members of the current Oilers staff. Smith played for the Oilers from 1984 to 1990, so he's had Paul Coffey as a teammate. He coached with Kris Knoblauch on the Hartford Wolf Pack. Smith was even an assistant coach for some brutal Edmonton Oilers teams between 2010 and 2014.

Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal recently brought up Smith's departure from the Hartford Wolf Pack and gave no additional detail, but it wouldn't be out of the question that he joins the Oilers in the future. Smith has the pedigree, experience, and history with a number of people in Edmonton that would make him a great fit. The Oilers coaching staff for this season is already set, but if there's a departure next offseason, Smith could get a call from Edmonton again.

The Oilers have repeatedly hired former players in the past that have never quite worked out in managerial and coaching roles, but Paul Coffey put an end to that trend last season. In his professional coaching debut, the Oilers former star defenceman played a key role in turning around the play of the blue line. Under his guidance, defenceman started making more plays and the Oilers began to skyrocket up the standings.

If Coffey and Knoblauch want to bring in an old friend together in Steve Smith, he's available for hire anytime.