In one of the most shocking developments in recent NHL history, Martin St. Louis, the head coach of the Montreal Canadiens, has officially resigned from his post and accepted a blockbuster five-year, $75.6 million deal to become the head coach of the Edmonton Oilers. The move, which comes just days after the Canadiens were eliminated from playoff contention, has left fans, analysts, and players stunned — and has ignited a new era of high-stakes coaching in the National Hockey League.
From Beloved Coach to Abrupt Exit
Martin St. Louis, a Hockey Hall of Famer and widely respected figure in Canadian hockey, had taken over the Canadiens in February 2022 during one of the franchise’s lowest points. Under his leadership, the team underwent a culture shift, focusing on player development, speed, and accountability. Despite a few rocky seasons, the Canadiens saw clear signs of progress, with their young core — including Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Juraj Slafkovský — blossoming under his tutelage.
His resignation came as a shock during a Tuesday morning press conference in Montreal. St. Louis, visibly emotional, addressed the media briefly before stepping away without taking questions.
“This city gave me everything,” he said. “But sometimes, new challenges call us in unexpected ways. I’m grateful to the Canadiens organization, the fans, and especially the players. I leave knowing that this group is heading in the right direction.”
What he didn’t say publicly — but what insiders quickly confirmed — was that St. Louis had agreed to a record-breaking deal to coach the Edmonton Oilers.
The Oilers’ Bold Move
The Edmonton Oilers, fresh off another bitter playoff exit and internal evaluation of their leadership structure, wasted no time in making their intentions clear: they wanted a transformational figure to guide a team brimming with generational talent — and they were willing to pay for it.
The five-year, $75.6 million contract — averaging $15.12 million per year — makes St. Louis the highest-paid coach in NHL history and positions him as the centerpiece of a franchise hungry for a Stanley Cup.
According to sources close to the organization, negotiations between the Oilers and St. Louis began within 48 hours of Montreal’s elimination. The decision to part ways with Kris Knoblauch, who coached the Oilers to a deep playoff run in 2024, was reportedly made with “deep respect,” but also a recognition that the team needed “a Hall of Fame-caliber voice with a long-term vision.”
Ken Holland, Edmonton’s general manager, praised St. Louis at the official introduction event in Rogers Place:
“Martin understands what it takes to win at the highest level. His ability to connect with star players, adapt his systems, and elevate team culture is unmatched. We believe this is the move that gets us over the top.”
What This Means for the Canadiens
Back in Montreal, the reaction was mixed — and emotional. Canadiens fans had embraced St. Louis not only as a coach but as a symbol of hope during a long and painful rebuild. His sudden departure felt to many like an abandonment, especially as he heads to a rival Canadian market.
Jeff Gorton, executive vice president of hockey operations, addressed the media Wednesday morning, confirming that assistant coach Trevor Letowski would assume interim duties.
“Martin’s decision caught us off guard, but we respect his desire to pursue a new opportunity. We are grateful for everything he brought to our organization,” Gorton said. “We will begin the process of identifying our next head coach immediately.”
Behind the scenes, some Canadiens players were reportedly “blindsided,” with one veteran telling reporters anonymously, “We didn’t see this coming. He told us he was in it for the long haul.”
A New Era in Edmonton
For the Oilers, this represents more than just a coaching change — it’s a strategic shift in how the organization views leadership. St. Louis, known for his high hockey IQ, fiery competitiveness, and emphasis on player empowerment, is expected to bring a more dynamic, modern approach to a roster that includes Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and rising star Dylan Holloway.
St. Louis has already begun assembling a coaching staff, with early reports suggesting he may bring over one or two assistants from Montreal and possibly rehire former Lightning assistant coaches he worked with as a player.
The expectations are sky-high. The Oilers haven’t hoisted the Stanley Cup since 1990. With one of the league’s most expensive rosters and now its most expensive coach, the pressure to win — and win now — has never been more intense.
League-Wide Reaction
The NHL community reacted swiftly to the news. TSN’s Bob McKenzie called it “the biggest off-ice power move since Mike Babcock signed with Toronto.” Elliotte Friedman reported that other teams were “blindsided” by the scale of the Oilers’ financial offer.
Wayne Gretzky, who maintains close ties to the Oilers, weighed in during an appearance on NHL on TNT:
“It’s a bold move. Martin’s got the pedigree, the intelligence, and the respect of the hockey world. But in Edmonton, bold moves are nothing new. They’re swinging for the fences here.”
Final Thoughts
Martin St. Louis’ move from Montreal to Edmonton is not just a coaching change — it’s a tectonic shift in the NHL landscape. It raises questions about coaching loyalty, market pressure, and the
