After 58 games, the Oilers are 28-22-8 with 64 points, good enough to stay in the Western Conference race but nowhere near the elite level of the league. Their record, underlying defensive issues and inconsistency against top opponents have cooled early-season optimism and raised questions about whether this group can compete as currently constituted.
Oddsmakers have cooled the Oilers Cup odds
Early in the year, Edmonton was among the smaller favorites on many futures boards. Recent form and defensive concerns have pushed them down the list. On comparison platform bettingtop10.comseveral regulated sportsbooks now have the Oilers in the middle of the contenders, with odds in the +1400 range to win the Stanley Cup, reflecting skepticism that they can match up with deeper, more complete teams over four rounds.
Canadian gamblers in particular have shown caution. Edmonton has struggled to keep the puck out of the net and has one of the weaker defensive profiles among clubs with playoff aspirations. Breakdowns in coverage, inconsistent gap control and problems clearing the front of the net have forced their goalkeepers into too many high-risk chances. Until that changes, it’s hard for bettors or analysts to view them as anything more than an outside threat.
The looming NHL trade deadline only increases the scrutiny. The 2026 NHL Trade Deadline is set for March 6 at 3:00 PM ET, leaving general manager Ken Holland and his staff little time after the Olympic break to decide whether to add help at the back, adjust around the edges or make a more dramatic move behind the bench.
The departure of Paul Coffey and the hole in the defense
Much of the current conversation in Edmonton centers on former assistant coach Paul Coffey and whether a return to the bench could stabilize the Oilers’ blue line. Coffey, a Hall of Fame defenseman and former Oiler, joined the coaching staff in November 2023 and worked primarily on defense. Under Kris Knoblauch, Coffey helped guide the team on back-to-back trips to the Stanley Cup Final before the organization reshuffled its staff in the summer of 2025, returning him to an advisory role.
Since that change, the Oilers’ defensive play has noticeably declined. While inconsistency in goaltending plays a role, their structure doesn’t look as sharp. Opponents have found seams through the middle of the ice and Edmonton has allowed too many second and third chances around the crease. For a team built around top offensive talent, the margin for defensive error is small. If they don’t defend cleanly, they are forced into high-scoring lane battles that tend to break against them over time.
Respected local voices are calling for Coffey’s return
Within Edmonton, some of the most seasoned observers believe Coffey’s absence is a key factor. Long time ago Oilers writer Jim Mathesonwho has followed the team for decades, has publicly argued that the club should consider bringing Coffey back to the bench in some capacity. He said Coffey’s direct communication style and hands-on approach resonated with the defense group during his 18-month stint as an assistant.
Matheson has pointed out how the Oilers defensemen responded to Coffey’s lessons and how their puck movement and confidence seemed to increase when he crossed the blue line. He has also noted that current assistant Mark Stuart, who took over Coffey’s responsibilities on defense while continuing to oversee the penalty kill, works tirelessly and knows the position, but the unit doesn’t look as cohesive since the change.
For that camp, the Olympic break represents an opportunity. With the schedule paused and the NHL roster frozen during the Games, the organization has room to evaluate the coaching structure. Supporters of Coffey’s return argue that reuniting Coffey with the defense would send a clear message that management recognizes the team’s biggest weakness and is willing to adapt.
National insiders are raising red flags
The push to bring Coffey back is far from unanimous. National insiders have expressed concerns about how his approach would fit in the current situation and with Knoblauch’s leadership. On Sportsnet, Elliotte Friedman has suggested that Coffey’s demanding, sometimes abrasive style may not be the right choice for a group already dealing with pressure and frustration.
Those questions came into sharper focus after Leon Draisaitl’s candid post-game comments following a loss to the Calgary Flames before the Olympic break. Draisaitl, usually measured against the media, hinted that some of the team’s problems can be traced back to preparation and readiness issues, which many read as subtle criticism of the coaching staff. That comment led to speculation that a stronger, more powerful voice like Coffey could be exactly what the Oilers need on the bench.
Friedman has acknowledged that Coffey brings an edge that could benefit the team, but he has also questioned whether everyone involved really wants that dynamic back, especially given the way things ended last summer. Reintroducing Coffey would require the front office to admit that bringing him off the bench was a mistake, a rare move for any organization that prides itself on stability.
Seravalli sees a “strong possibility” of reunification
On the other side of the debate, insider Frank Seravalli was more optimistic about the idea that Coffey could return in some form once the Olympic break is over and the roster freeze is lifted. He has said there is a “very strong possibility” that Edmonton will look to Coffey to help lead the defense again if results don’t improve soon.
Such a move would not be unprecedented. Contending teams often adjust their staffs mid-season, especially if they believe they have a limited championship window. With Connor McDavid and Draisaitl in their prime and under intense scrutiny to deliver a championship, the Oilers are under more pressure than most to make sure the details are right.
The organization must weigh whether a bench change – adding Coffey or making a bigger move with Knoblauch – would stabilize the team or risk further unrest. Knoblauch has already led the group through deep playoff runs, and firing him during an Olympic break would be a drastic move. A more measured adjustment, such as reintroducing Coffey into a clearly defined defensive role, could be seen as a compromise.
Olympic pause, trade deadline and a narrower window
The Olympic break offers the Oilers a rare opportunity to take a step back. Players will have time to rest, heal and reset. Management can study the first 58 games, assess lineup decisions and chart the path to the March 6 trade deadline.
Edmonton’s options are clear but difficult. They can move on from their current coaching staff and hope that internal adjustments and minor trade additions are enough to tighten up defensively. They can explore adding a high-quality defender before the deadline, sacrificing the future to protect the present. Or they could decide that the voice and structure behind the bench need to change, whether that means bringing Coffey back, reassigning responsibilities or taking a more dramatic step.
What makes the situation so sensitive is the context of the franchise. This core has already come close, reaching the Stanley Cup Final in back-to-back years and coming up short against the Florida Panthers. The fan base knows that this group can win at the highest level. That history lends some credibility to the staff and adds to the impatience as the team hovers near the playoff bubble instead of pacing around the conference.
As the calendar marches toward March 6, the Oilers can’t escape one reality: The window with McDavid and Draisaitl won’t stay wide open forever. How they use the Olympic break and the days leading up to the trade deadline – including whether Paul Coffey is back in the equation – will define not only their 2025-2026 season, but the narrative surrounding this era of Oilers hockey.
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