The Edmonton Oilers have fired coach Jay Woodcroft amid a 3-9-1 start to the season, the team announced Sunday.

Along with Woodcroft, assistant Dave Manson is also out in Edmonton. The Oilers said Kris Knoblauch, coach of the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, will be the new coach in Edmonton with Hall of Famer and former Oilers player Paul Coffey joining the staff as an assistant.

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Jack Campbell was placed on waivers Tuesday, making it the latest development for a preseason Stanley Cup contender that currently has the second-worst record in the NHL.

The Oilers placed Campbell on waivers for the purpose of assignment with the intent that he will play for their AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors, in an attempt to gain the sort of consistency that has eluded him this season.

Captain Connor McDavid returned from injury on Sunday night, and the Edmonton Oilers defeated the rival Calgary Flames 5-2 in the NHL's Heritage Classic outdoor game.

McDavid, 26, a three-time Hart Trophy recipient initially thought to be out for one to two weeks with an upper-body injury, returned early and rejoined a struggling team that had lost four in a row before Sunday's offensive breakout.

"It's such a unique experience, maybe it's something you get to experience once or twice, if you're lucky," McDavid said of the outdoor atmosphere. "You just try to soak it all in. And obviously, it was a big win for our group."

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid could return to the lineup for the NHL Heritage Classic outdoor game Sunday but is not expected to play Tuesday or Thursday this week.

McDavid was ruled out of Tuesday's game at Minnesota and is doubtful to return for Thursday's game with the New York Rangers. The three-time Hart Trophy recipient initially was thought to be out for one to two weeks with an upper-body injury sustained Saturday in a loss to Winnipeg, but the Oilers will keep the door open for his return this weekend.

Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid is expected to miss one to two weeks after suffering an upper-body injury, the team announced Sunday.

McDavid, the reigning Hart Trophy winner, suffered the injury during a 3-2 overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday night. He took his final shift in the third period and was seen reaching for his left side during a rush. He stayed on the bench throughout the overtime session.

Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft said after the game that "it appeared to be muscular more than anything."

Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid was injured in a 3-2 overtime loss at home to the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday night.

McDavid's last shift of the game finished with 4:20 remaining in the third period. He could be seen reaching for his side during a rush up the ice. McDavid's final two shifts were 33 and 34 seconds, respectively, for a player who averages 56 seconds per shift.

McDavid remained on the bench in overtime, leaving Edmonton without last season's NHL MVP. Jets center Mark Scheifele scored at 3:53 of overtime to complete a Winnipeg rally, dropping the Oilers to 1-3-1 on the season.

The Carolina Hurricanes begin the NHL season as the consensus betting favorites to win the Stanley Cup at sportsbooks.

The Hurricanes are the Cup favorites at 15-2 at Caesars Sportsbook, followed by the Colorado Avalanche (8-1), Edmonton Oilers (8-1) and Toronto Maple Leafs (9-1). The New Jersey Devils are 10-1, and the defending-champion Vegas Golden Knights are 12-1.

Veteran forward Brandon Sutter, who last played in the NHL in 2021, has retired from the NHL after 13 seasons.

Sutter did not play over the past two seasons while dealing with complications from COVID-19.

Sutter, 34, was in camp with the Edmonton Oilers on a professional tryout (PTO). Sutter announced his retirement on Sunday when the Oilers released him from his PTO.

The Ottawa Senators appointed Steve Staios as president of hockey operations on Friday.

Earlier on Friday morning, Staios resigned from his position as special adviser to hockey operations with the Edmonton Oilers.

"I am so excited that Steve is joining me in Ottawa to lead our hockey operations," Senators new owner Michael Andlauer in a news release. "I have worked with Steve for many years and know first-hand that he will strengthen our team with his hockey acumen, attention to detail, commitment to excellence and enthusiasm for the game and its players. In hockey you can never accumulate too much talent. Having Steve and Pierre (Dorion, general manager) leading our hockey department gives us a formidable team."

The Edmonton Oilers signed veteran forwards Sam Gagner and Brandon Sutter to professional tryout agreements on Monday.

Gagner, 34, was a first-round pick (sixth overall) by Edmonton in 2007 and played with the Oilers from 2007-14 and 2019-20.

Sutter, also 34, was a first-round pick in the same 2007 draft, going 11th overall to the Carolina Hurricanes.