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The Truth About Knoblauch’s ‘Veto’ Power Over Coffey Return

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | Last updated Feb 20, 2026 9:22 AM ET

Nick Kypreos spoke this week on the return of Paul Coffey to the Edmonton Oilers and believes that head coach Kris Knoblauch is doomed as a result. Speaking on the Real Kyper & Bourne show on Sportsnet, Kypreos said he doesn’t understand the move, even if Coffey has the ability to help Edmonton’s leaky defense.

“I don’t see a world where Knoblauch’s long for this job. You got to turn this thing into a Stanley Cup winning season here, or I don’t see a world where Knoblauch’s back.” Interestingly, Jason Gregor of Sports 1440 noted, “The idea of Coffey returning to the bench was started by Katz. However, Knoblauch did have veto power. He could have said no, but felt Coffey could help them.”

It’s an interesting position to be in if you’re Knoblauch. If you don’t really want Coffey back, you’re not in a great position to say no. The owner wants him, and you have to have some brass you-know-whats to say, ‘Thanks, but no thanks.’ At the same time, if Coffey comes in and suddenly the team is better, does that directly point to Knoblauch as the problem?

Knoblauch Says He Likes The Idea… But Does it Really Matter?

The Oilers officially announced on February 18, 2026, that Coffey (Hall of Famer, former Oilers defenseman) is rejoining the bench after stepping away in July 2025 to a special advisor role alongside owner Daryl Katz. Some seven months later, with the Oilers struggling ahead of the final 25 games of the season, Coffey is reinserted into a coaching mix that wasn’t supposed to include him.

Knoblauch said publicly he supported the move, but what else was he going to say? “I know that the head coach and Coffey didn’t get along perfectly,” Gregor said. “That doesn’t mean you hate someone, but you know, if you’re not always on the same page, can you bring that guy back?”

“They are not [happy],” Tom Gazzola said on Edmonton Sports Talk. “I found out today that it’s not just the coaching staff that are not happy about this. I’ll leave it at that.” He said he was quite concerned about the way this organization is being run, calling Katz’s decision to assert pressure to get Knoblauch back in as the ultra-micromanaging move. It also shows there’s no confidence in Knoblauch from higher above to do this without help.

Players have described Coffey bringing an “aura,” “presence,” and “jolt” of energy/leadership. Gazzola also said there were times last season when Coffey took roles from other coaches, removing their responsibilities. Because he’s essentially second in command (seen as having more authority than Stan Bowman or Jeff Jackson) there was no one to stand in the way. If Coffey wanted it done, it got done.

No wonder there have been reports of internal friction, and sources like Nick Kypreos believe that Knoblauch doesn’t survive this, regardless of what happens with Coffey next season.

Knoblauch is going to put on a happy face and say all the right things. What kind of message does it send if he does not do so? He’s also not that way. A measured personality that doesn’t often show emotion, Knoblauch is going to make the best of what has to be an extremely awkward situation now. On one hand, he’s got an assistant, who is really his boss, looking over everything he does. On the other hand, Coffey is only doing so because he wants to see the Oilers win so badly. This isn’t being done out of malice.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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