Fans in Edmonton are wondering whether the team is considering a change during the Olympic break. Specifically, there’s been talk that the coaching staff might need a shakeup. While that’s not to suggest that head coach Kris Knoblauch is in trouble or that he could be relieved of his duties, an old face was brought up in recent rumors — Paul Coffey.
The former coach tends to jump when Oilers’ owner Darryl Katz calls. David Staples of the Edmonton Journal recently wrote, “…But if you read the tea leaves — as mainly presented by the ultimate Oilers media insider Bob Stauffer on his show today — I’m betting that the Oilers will finally bring back Paul Coffey to coach the defence and run the defence during games.”
Elliotte Friedman has poured a little cold water on the Paul Coffey talk, saying he looked into it earlier and was told it is not happening, and not everyone involved wants it.
Oilers Paul Coffey coaching
This shouldn’t come as a shock. Coffey never wanted a coaching job in the first place. He took it as a favor and stuck with it until the Oilers failed to win the Stanley Cup on their second try. He returned to his role as a special advisor to Katz and is likely quite content there. If he’s asked to return, it would be in an emergency-only situation.
Part of the issue is the relationship between Coffey and Knoblauch. These two aren’t exactly on the same page, but more than that, Coffey’s return undermines Knoblauch as head coach. It would be looked at as a babysitter-type overseer joining the team, and that would handcuff the coach, who, for the most part, has done an effective job.
Have Things Changed Since “Early” in the Season?
One thing fans are pointing out with Friedman’s comments is the phrasing. Saying he was told this earlier in the season potentially leaves the door open for things to have changed. Things have changed markedly since then.
The Oilers haven’t found their game, and they are almost 60 games into the season. There is also new talk that the coach is struggling to get this team back on track. It may be now that this coaching staff needs another voice. Leon Draisaitl repped the players the other day when he voiced his frustration, calling out the coaching staff as part of his targeting everything that was wrong with the group.
Has the team’s earlier stance changed? Or, are the Oilers never going to pull the trigger on Coffey, having been there and tried that before?
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