The Edmonton Oilers made a headline-grabbing move this week by bringing Paul Coffey back to the coaching staff. For a franchise steeped in history and star power, a lot of questions jumped to the surface.
First, why now? Second, what does Coffey bring? And third, how will this shake up the Oilers’ current coaching staff? On paper, it looks like the organization admitted it needed Coffey’s experience and skill set, but the details make the move feel more than a little odd.
Strange Thing One: Coffey’s Return Was Announced During Overtime
First, there’s the timing. Coffey’s return was announced mid-game during a tied overtime stretch. That’s right—the team drops a press release while players are battling on the ice. You rarely see front-office moves unveiled with the puck still moving, and it sends a weird signal about priorities.
Is it a statement of urgency, or just a head-scratching PR choice? Either way, it’s not your typical hockey announcement. The Oilers have a habit of doing this. They announced the Jack Roslovic signing during the first period of the opening game of the regular season. The Coffey news came at about the oddest time – ever.
Strange Thing Two: Head Coach Kris Knoblauch Isn’t Being Fired
Second, the coaching dynamics are unusual. Kris Knoblauch, the current head coach, isn’t being fired. Coffey isn’t taking over; he’s being added to the staff. So now you have a Hall of Famer walking into a room where someone else is running the show, potentially overlapping responsibilities on defence.
Knoblauch has confirmed that Mark Stuart will no longer be handling the blue line duties, and Coffey stepping in. Stuart will offer input. All the while, Coffey remains the eyes and ears of owner Daryl Katz. Whatever is wrong with the coaching, from any aspect, Coffey is sure to relay that information back up top.
Already, there’s a subtle tension. Nobody’s openly clashing, but the optics of a coaching room with an “added” legend are, well, strange.
Oilers Paul Coffey has rejoined the coaching staff behind the bench.
Strange Thing Three: Coffey’s Back After Draisaitl’s Critique
Third, the decision’s context raises eyebrows. Coffey left the organization, but he’s back now because the team wanted a shake-up and perhaps to signal to players what’s at stake. After Draisaitl publicly suggested the coaching staff could be doing better, it seems the Oilers quietly asked Coffey to return.
This comes after McDavid said last year’s Finals loss showed the Oilers were guilty of doing the same thing over and over, expecting it to somehow work.
But it’s not every day that a former player is quietly asked to return mid-season to “help steer the ship.” It’s a mix of symbolism, authority, and maybe a dose of desperation.
The Bottom Line: With Coffey Back, What About Knoblauch?
So what does Coffey’s return mean for Knoblauch? The guy has credibility, sure, but if the team slips again, people will start asking who’s really running the bench. For fans, it makes watching the Oilers a little more intriguing—and maybe a little tense too.
Related: Oilers Shake Up Blue Line with Regula Loan, Coffey’s Return to Bench
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