Paul Coffey to rejoin Oilers coaching staff

The Hall of Fame defenceman is no stranger to Edmonton’s bench, having joined Kris Knoblauch’s staff when he was hired early in the 2023-24 season. Coffey played a big part in helping the Oilers blue line, and remained on the bench for the 2024-25 season.

But last summer, Coffey stepped away from the bench, returning to his role as a special advisor to Oilers owner Darryl Katz.

“I’m excited to return and work alongside Kris and the entire staff,” Coffey said in a statement released by the team. “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.”

Last November, a report from hockey insider Frank Seravalli indicated that while Coffey’s intense edge he brought to the bench helped keep the team on their toes, it rubbed some the wrong way.

“I think he had butted heads at various points in time with some other members of the coaching staff, because of the hard edge that he has,” Seravalli said. “But it’s also part of what made this Oiler defence a lot more formidable. He kept everyone on their toes because he’s someone that has that intensity to him.”

The Oilers coaching staff saw significant changes last summer with not only Coffey leaving, but longtime assistant Glen Gulutzan was hired as head coach of the Dallas Stars. Knoblauch brought on Paul McFarland to coach forwards and the power play, while Mark Stuart remained on the bench, just taking on more responsibility with the blue line and penalty kill.

“I have been in regular contact with Paul since last summer and I believe we will benefit both as a team and as a staff from his return at this time,” Knoblauch said in a statement.

The Oilers returned to practice Tuesday with a well-attended optional skate, according to Oilersnation’s Jason Gregor, and the team is expected to skate today and Thursday, with an day off Friday. They’ll then skate Saturday, Sunday and Monday, before flying to Anaheim where the team returns from the Olympic break with a three-game road trip visiting the Ducks, L.A. Kings and San Jose Sharks.