{"id":463460,"date":"2026-02-19T14:49:14","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T14:49:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/463460\/"},"modified":"2026-02-19T14:49:14","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T14:49:14","slug":"can-a-hall-of-famer-really-reset-the-oilers-midseason","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/463460\/","title":{"rendered":"Can a Hall of Famer Really Reset the Oilers Midseason?"},"content":{"rendered":"

There\u2019s something about seeing a Hall of Famer stroll back into your locker room that changes the vibe. Edmonton Oilers defenceman Mattias Ekholm<\/a> couldn\u2019t hide his excitement talking about Paul Coffey<\/a>\u2019s return as an assistant coach. And honestly, it\u2019s not just nostalgia talking\u2014it might actually matter.<\/p>\n

Coffey Never Left the Team, Just the Oilers\u2019 Bench<\/p>\n

Coffey never really left the scene. He\u2019s hung around the team, offered advice, and been part of the conversation. But now, with a full-time coaching role, he\u2019s an injection of energy, according to Ekholm. And that energy isn\u2019t just hype. Coffey brings a perspective that few people on the planet have. He sees the game differently, anticipates plays before they happen, and can communicate it in a way that players actually absorb.<\/p>\n

Ekholm was clear: <\/a>Coffey\u2019s value isn\u2019t just on the bench during games. He\u2019s there off the ice, during film sessions, during day-to-day prep. He reminds players about the details that matter\u2014positioning, timing, making the simple plays count. In a gruelling season, with the Oilers feeling the wear of nearly four games a week, that kind of focused, calm guidance is priceless.<\/p>\n

\"OilersOilers Mattias Ekholm is looking forward to having Paul Coffey return to the bench.<\/p>\n

The Oilers Have Lost a Bit of Their Defensive Edge. Can Coffey Help Get It Back?<\/p>\n

And Ekholm suggested that the Oilers have lost a bit of their defensive edge recently. Coffey won\u2019t \u201creinvent the wheel.\u201d Still, his personality, presence, and insight can help the team find its edge. He could become a reset for their attention to detail, helping players mentally lock in on every shift. That\u2019s the kind of leadership that separates playoff teams from those who don\u2019t.<\/p>\n

The real question: can Coffey change the defence simply by being there? Ekholm thinks he can. It\u2019s not magic\u2014just years of experience, focus on details, and a culture he\u2019s lived himself. Now the players get to take it in, shift by shift.<\/p>\n

If the Oilers Can Integrate Coffey\u2019s Insights, It Would Help<\/p>\n

If the Oilers can integrate Coffey\u2019s perspective, stay disciplined, and push the pace without leaving themselves exposed, this could be the stretch run that changes the narrative for their season. And maybe, just maybe, seeing a Hall of Famer not just talk, but teach the nuances of defence, will help Edmonton turn the grind of a long schedule into a real opportunity to dominate down the stretch.<\/p>\n

Related: Oilers Shake Up Blue Line with Regula Loan, Coffey\u2019s Return to Bench<\/a><\/p>\n

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