The Edmonton Oilers are just days away from punching their playoff ticket for what could be their seventh straight postseason berth. The club has been arguably one of the most successful teams of this past decade, with plenty of postseason success but still no Stanley Cup.
Over the past decade -- specifically the past seven years -- the Oilers have been to three of the past four Western Conference Finals, advancing to two straight Stanley Cup Finals the past two seasons. Led by plenty of homegrown pieces like Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Evan Bouchard. The Oilers management has been good at developing pieces internally and bringing them up through their farm system.
Now, as multiple teams are conducting searches to fill their role of general manager, it is no surprise that the Oilers’ front office has been on the radar. One person whose name seems to continue to surface, has had his hand in the organization far beyond this past decade and it is undeniable that his fingerprints are evident all over the entire organization.
Oilers assistant GM could be poached
It was recently reported that Oilers longtime assistant general manager Bill Scott interviewed for the vacant Nashville Predators GM job. That spot opened up as the current Predators GM announced that he would be retiring at the end of the season.
Friedman on 32TP says that the Predators are moving to the next phase of their GM search, which includes in‑person interviews. He believes they’ll speak with Bill Scott (EDM), Scott White (DAL), Brett Peterson (FLA), and possibly John Chayka as well.
— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) April 3, 2026
Now, as another vacancy has opened up with the Toronto Maple Leafs after firing Brad Treliving, Scott has been named as a possible candidate.
Scott, born in Ontario, has been with the Oilers organization since 2010-11 when he took over as GM of their American Hockey League affiliate at the time, the Oklahoma City Barons. He was hired formally as an assistant with the Oilers for the 2014-15 season and remained at the helm of their new minor league affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors.
He has served a variety of roles as a hockey executive from minor league GM to Director of Hockey Operations, to assistant GM. Now, it seems time that Scott moves on to greater things. If that is the case, especially with him being in charge of contract negotiations and salary cap management, it would mean a vital piece of the Oilers front office has moved on.Â
Former Oilers GM could also be in the running
In addition to Scott, another person that Oilers fans should be well acquainted with is former GM Peter Chiarelli. whose name also keeps popping up in relation to GM vacancies. Specifically tied to the Predators' job, since being fired by the Oilers, Chiarelli has stayed relevant around the NHL.
The season after Chiarelli was let go by the Oilers, he was hired as an advisor with the St. Louis Blues. After two seasons in an advisor role, he was promoted to vice president of hockey operations, a role he has held until recently. It was announced in recent weeks that Chiarelli left the Blues front office but at least publicly, he has not found a landing spot yet.
It remains to be seen at this time whether Chiarelli lands in Nashville, Toronto, or elsewhere.