A familiar face will be returning to the Edmonton Oilers’ bench after the Olympic break.
After some speculation over the past few weeks, the Oilers announced that Paul Coffey will officially rejoin Edmonton’s coaching staff. This comes after he left the position following last season’s heartbreaking Stanley Cup Final loss.
While the 64-year-old NHL legend left the Oilers bench, he never left the organization. Following his departure as part of the coaching staff, Coffey took on a special advisor to ownership and hockey operations role.
He will join head coach Kris Knoblauch, as well as assistant coaches Brad Stuart and Paul McFarland.
“I’m excited to return and work alongside Kris and the entire staff,” Coffey said in a press release. “With 24 games left in the season, there is ample time to build on the many positives and build momentum for another long playoff run.”
Paul Coffey is returning to the #Oilers coaching staff. https://t.co/A8ekYJUdwr
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) February 18, 2026
Coffey initially joined the Oilers coaching staff in November of 2023, following the hiring of Knoblauch. He was primarily responsible for the team’s defensive group and was a pivotal part of a staff that helped Edmonton to two straight Stanley Cup Final appearances.
Edmonton’s defensive game has struggled since his departure, as Stuart took over Coffey’s responsibilities. There was an inkling that some sort of change would be coming to the Oilers, as they limped into the Olympic break on a three-game losing streak.
“I have been in regular contact with Paul since last summer, and I believe we will benefit both as a team and as a staff from his return at this time,” Knoblauch said in a release.
The Oilers have confirmed that Coffey is expected to hit the ice with the team as soon as Friday and will be behind the bench when Edmonton resumes its NHL schedule on Feb. 25 against the Anaheim Ducks.