{"id":462539,"date":"2026-02-18T21:56:16","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T21:56:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/462539\/"},"modified":"2026-02-18T21:56:16","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T21:56:16","slug":"can-paul-coffey-solve-the-oilers-defensive-shortcomings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/462539\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Paul Coffey Solve the Oilers’ Defensive Shortcomings?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Imagine signing Connor McDavid<\/a> to an extension under the guise of putting him in the best position to win a Stanley Cup and not doing everything you can to make it a reality. Edmonton Oilers General Manager Stan Bowman attempted to do that by trading for Tristan Jarry<\/a>, but the team has still been unable to keep the puck out of the net. The next logical step was to fix the Oilers\u2019 defense, which is what recently re-hired assistant coach Paul Coffey<\/a> hopes to do.<\/p>\n

Coffey was the Oilers\u2019 defense coach for the past two seasons, during which he helped lead the team to back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances. However, instead of continuing those duties, he returned to his old role of Special Advisor to Ownership and Hockey Operations in July. <\/p>\n

The Oilers allowed 2.78 goals per game during Coffey\u2019s tenure behind the bench. They were one of the stingiest teams over that span, regardless of how some may have felt about Stuart Skinner<\/a>\u2018s job as the starting goaltender. Nevertheless, with Skinner traded earlier this season, the Oilers are now seventh-worst in the league, allowing 3.29 goals per game. It shows that there is more to the team\u2019s struggles than goaltending alone. <\/p>\n

\"\"Oilers Paul Coffey<\/a> coaching<\/p>\n

Edmonton hopes that Coffey will bring some success back to the blueline. It isn\u2019t just bad luck for the Oilers that they\u2019ve been poorer this season without the defense coach running things. They also sit fifth-worst in the league with 2.73 expected goals allowed per 60. The team wasn\u2019t a defensive juggernaut by advanced metrics last season, but they were in the middle of the pack with just 2.37 expected goals allowed per 60, and they posted a 2.40 mark in the 2023-24 season. <\/p>\n

Will Paul Coffey Turn the Team into a Stanley Cup Contender?<\/p>\n

The Oilers are still in second in the Pacific Division, but most fans will tell you that the team feels a little different this season. A more reliable defensive structure will help fans sleep better at night, and if Coffey can return the team\u2019s metrics to last season\u2019s levels, they\u2019d be near the top of the league. <\/p>\n

Coffey returning and reinvigorating the defense seems like a great idea for the Oilers. However, Tom Gazzola reports that it isn\u2019t a\u00a0popular move<\/a>\u00a0among some members of the coaching staff and that Darryl Katz may have taken the lead on the decision.<\/p>\n

If the Oilers\u2019 defense turns it around, the coaching staff might warm up to the idea of Coffey being back<\/a> behind the bench. While some of it falls on the defense and coach\u2019s shoulders, they\u2019ll also need better goaltending than Jarry\u2019s 3.64 goals-against average and .870 save percentage.<\/p>\n

Next: Tristan Jarry Is Looking Surprisingly Like a Former Oilers Goaltender<\/a><\/p>\n

\tDiscover more from NHL Trade Talk<\/p>\n

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