Former Oiler Derek Ryan identifies the biggest issue holding Edmonton back from winning a Stanley Cup
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Tyler Ball
Jan 29, 2026 (11:54 PM)
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Photo credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images
Tonight, former Edmonton Oiler Derek Ryan spoke out about one major factor holding the team back from winning a Stanley Cup.
The Edmonton Oilers last two seasons have ended in heartbreak with Stanley Cup finals losses to the Florida Panthers.
After both seasons, fans and analysts tried to dissect what has gone wrong with many placing blame on the goaltending and defensive unit.
However, tonight former Oiler Derek Ryan has placed the blame on head coach Kris Knoblauch as well as Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Former Oiler blames Kris Knoblauch for Edmonton’s lack of playoff success
In a new segment on Oilers Now with Bob Stauffer, Ryan was asked to dissect the Oilers struggles and whether he believes the team can get over the hump still.
Ryan still believes in his former team but says that Kris Knoblauch needs to stop relying so much on Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
I think they need to find a way. It’s been hard the last five years that I’ve been around the team, basically, that they need to find a way to give these depth players, the guys that aren’t Connor and Leon, that aren’t playing with them, a role and a chance to be successful, and feel like they can contribute, feel like they can have a niche… If these players are not given a chance to have that (role), then it just always feels like Connor and Leon’s team.
Ryan seems to believe that the Oilers’ reliance upon McDavid and Draisaitl in big moments takes confidence away from the rest of the group.
Thus, when the other players are needed to step up against higher quality competition such as the Florida Panthers they feel unprepared for the moment.
While this has been a suggestion by other analysts in the past, Ryan’s proximity to the team in recent years gives him a special ability to diagnose what has gone wrong.
At the end of the day, McDavid and Draisaitl are two world class talents and any coach would be silly no to lean on them in big moments.
However, giving other depth players more responsibility to step up could unlock that last level the Oilers have been searching for.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 29|184 ANSWERS Former Oiler Derek Ryan identifies the biggest issue holding Edmonton back from winning a Stanley Cup Do the Edmonton Oilers rely on Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl too much? | ||
| Yes | 173 | 94 % |
| No | 11 | 6 % |
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