Legendary D Paul Coffey rejoins Oilers’ coaching staff

Hall of Fame defenseman Paul Coffey is rejoining the Edmonton Oilers' coaching staff following a stint as a special advisor to hockey operations and ownership, the team announced Wednesday.

Coffey, 64, was a defense-focused assistant to head coach Kris Knoblauch from November 2023 through the end of the 2024-25 season.

The Oilers reached consecutive Stanley Cup Finals and allowed the fifth-fewest goals in the NHL (2.78 per game) during Coffey's tenure overseeing the blue line.

"I have been in regular contact with Paul since (he became an advisor) last summer and I believe we will benefit both as a team and as a staff from his return at this time," Knoblauch said.

Off since Feb. 4 because of the Winter Olympics, the Oilers' season resumes with back-to-back road games against the Anaheim Ducks next Wednesday and the Los Angeles Kings next Thursday.

Edmonton is four points behind the first-place Vegas Golden Knights in the Pacific Division.

"I'm excited to return and work alongside Kris and the entire staff," Coffey said. "With 24 games left in the season, there is ample time to build on the many positives and build momentum for another long playoff run."

A defensive sidekick to Wayne Gretzky, Coffey won three Stanley Cups with the high-flying Oilers in the 1980s and celebrated a fourth championship with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1991.

Coffey also won three Norris Trophies and ranks second among defensemen in career scoring, trailing only Ray Bourque, with 1,531 points (396 goals, 1,135 assists) in 1,409 games. He entered the Hall of Fame in 2004.