The Edmonton Oilers have employed 18 coaches in the 46 seasons the team has played in the NHL. Five of those men have coached during the Connor McDavid era, 2015-16 through 2025-26. Previous to McDavid’s arrival, the average head coach was in the position for almost three years. Since 2015, the average is two seasons.Oilers general manager Stan Bowman, the fifth GM since McDavid arrived (there were eight over 35 seasons before 2015), is currently beginning the process of hiring the team’s 19th coach. The names mentioned by local media so far range from retired former coaches (Mike Babcock) to men who have never coached in the league (Denver Pioneers coach David Carle).For an Oilers fan who just wants to see his team win the Stanley Cup, it can be frustrating. Here’s a look at the five best candidates for the job, and why they should be the top options.Bruce CassidyThe Oilers got a firsthand look at Bruce Cassidy’s skills during the 2023 playoffs. He was the coach of the Vegas Golden Knights and gave a clinic on gaining an edge against Edmonton. Cassidy’s in-game adjustments allowed the Golden Knights to get past the Oilers on the way to the Stanley Cup.Cassidy’s key innovation was finding ways for Jack Eichel to avoid tight checking by resetting lines on the fly. Eichel flourished in the series (seven even-strength points to McDavid’s four). Cassidy deployed a deadly shutdown line (led by William Karlsson) that had the answers in the big moments in the series. Cassidy gave a large chunk of minutes to a tough fourth line (Nicolas Roy with William Carrier and Keegan Kolesar) that gave Edmonton’s defencemen fits. The goaltending switch from Laurent Brossoit to Adin Hill came via injury but worked perfectly.Cassidy’s roster construction, strong outlets and entries, plus overall attention to detail, appear to be a perfect fit for Edmonton.Jay WoodcroftThe man Cassidy schooled in that 2023 playoff showdown was Jay Woodcroft. Now an assistant coach for the Anaheim Ducks, time has revealed Woodcroft drew the best of McDavid and Leon Draisaitl offensively. In the 2022-23 season, Woodcroft’s only complete year as Oilers coach, the club scored 325 goals. That number was the highest since 1988-89. The team hasn’t been the same offensively since Woodcroft left.Woodcroft increased the team’s talent base by recalling players from the AHL Bakersfield Condors. Some, like Philip Broberg, were high draft picks with a clear path to the NHL. Others, like Vincent Desharnais, had a more obscure skill set that Woodcroft recognized from his time coaching the Condors before being elevated to Edmonton.