The Edmonton Oilers have brought back Paul Coffey to their coaching staff after the Hall of Fame defenseman spent time as a special adviser to ownership and hockey operations.
Coffey previously coached the club’s defensive unit for two seasons before transitioning to an advisory role in July.
The move comes as Edmonton struggles defensively this season. The Oilers currently rank 25th in the NHL, allowing 3.29 goals per game.
That’s a significant drop from Coffey’s previous tenure behind the bench. From his initial hiring on Nov. 13, 2023, through the end of the 2024-25 season, Edmonton allowed just 2.78 goals per game.
That mark ranked fifth-best in the league during that span.
The defensive struggles haven’t derailed Edmonton’s season completely. The Oilers sit second in the Pacific Division, trailing Vegas by four points while holding a one-point edge over both Seattle and Los Angeles.
Coffey’s return signals the organization’s commitment to addressing their defensive issues. The former Oilers star brings extensive knowledge of the system and relationships with current players from his recent coaching experience.
The timing suggests Edmonton wants to shore up their defensive play before the playoff push intensifies.
