The Edmonton Oilers are bringing back a popular former player who not only was a star on the ice during the team’s championship days but also nearly helped win a title for Edmonton for the first time in almost 40 years.
Paul Coffey, who is in the Hall of Fame as a defenseman, is coming back to help the Oilers improve their defense, a job he did from December 2023 until last season ended. Since that time, he has been a Special Advisor to the team’s owners and hockey management.
Also, Mark Stuart will keep his job helping the Oilers with their penalty kills, as confirmed by head coach Kris Knoblauch.
With this change, the Oilers are hoping to get better at defense. Last season, with Coffey on the staff, Edmonton was fifth in the NHL for fewest goals allowed, averaging 2.78 goals against. This season, that number has gone up to 3.29 goals against, ranking them 25th out of 32 NHL teams.
Paul Coffey Is Back With The Edmonton Oilers
In a statement, Knoblauch mentioned that he stayed in touch with Coffey even after he left the coaching staff and that bringing him back will be good for the team.
“I have been talking regularly with Paul since last summer, and I think we will gain a lot as a team and as a staff from his return right now,” Knoblauch said about Coffey coming back.
“I’m thrilled to be back and to work with Kris and the whole team,” Coffey said. “With 24 games left in the season, we have plenty of chances to build on the good things and create energy for another strong playoff run.”
Coffey is expected to join the Oilers by the end of this week and will be on the bench when the NHL games start up again next week.
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