The Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars meet in the Western Conference Final for the second consecutive year in the NHL, with the latter determined to avenge last season’s elimination and chase their second Stanley Cup in franchise history. The Oilers, however, are a tough nut to crack and can never be taken for granted. As Kris Knoblauch and Peter DeBoer go head-to-head, we take a look at their bank accounts and at how much each coach earns every season?
Knoblauch signed with the Oilers in November 2023, following the firing of Jay Woodcroft in Alberta. Since, he’s guided Connor McDavid and company to a Stanley Cup Final, where they fell in seven games to the Florida Panthers.
The Oilers were on the brink of a historic milestone as they forced Game 7 after falling 3-0 in the series. However, they failed to prevail in the winner-takes-all game in Sunrise, and witnessed in utter shock and heartbreak as the Panthers hoisted Lord Stanley.
Knoblauch’s contract: not made public
The runner-up finish didn’t shake the Oilers’ confidence in their head coach. Knoblauch remains at the helm, under contract through the 2025–26 NHL season, and he could very well be in line for an extension thanks to back-to-back deep playoff runs in his first two years on the job.
An extension would undoubtedly be welcomed by Knoblauch, whose estimated $1 million salary ranks near the lower end among NHL coaches. However, as head coaches’ salaries are not obliged to be public, Knoblauch’s total earnings per year are unclear and could range over the estimated $1M.
Regardless it’s a fairly cheap tab for the head coach who’s helped Edmonton be the closest they’ve been to their sixth Stanley Cup, and McDavid’s first.
Peter DeBoer’s salary
DeBoer has built a strong reputation through years of experience and success behind the bench. He’s been involved in coaching since 1994 and made his NHL head coaching debut in 2008 with the Florida Panthers. Over the years, he has led five teams: the Panthers, Devils, Sharks, Golden Knights, and currently, the Stars.
He’s reached the playoffs in 10 different seasons but has yet to hoist the Stanley Cup. DeBoer came awfully close twice, falling in the Stanley Cup Final in 2012 with the Devils (against the Kings) and again in 2016 with the Sharks (against the Penguins). He has also reached the Conference Finals on four other occasions.
Regardless, DeBoer firmly believes that if he keeps knocking on the door, it will eventually open—leading him to his first Stanley Cup. The Stars clearly share that confidence in their head coach, backing it up with a sizable paycheck. According to Hockey Answered, Sportskeeda, and Hockey Zone Plus, DeBoer earns $4.25 million per year through a four-year, $17 million deal he signed ahead of the 2022–23 season.
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DeBoer is under contract through the 2025-26 NHL season, meaning time might be running out for him to deliver Dallas its second Stanley Cup in franchise history.