Paul Coffey stepped down from his role as an assistant coach with the Edmonton Oilers in July 2025. Since he never wanted to take the coaching job in the first place, he did so as a favor to owner Darryl Katz and CEO Jeff Jackson. After two seasons and two runs where the team fell just short, Coffey’s decision to return to his previous role as Katz’s advisor makes sense.
Still, there are currently questions in Edmonton about how much his absence will impact the current defensive structure, or lack thereof, this season. The Oilers have struggled this season and while their record is actually better than this time last year, asked an insider“How Much Did Paul Coffey Hold the Oilers Together?”
Frank Seravalli asked the question and then answered it himself. “I think that’s one of the things that hasn’t been talked about enough is the coaching staff changes that happened in Edmonton,” he noted.
Coffey wasn’t the only coach to leave — Glen Gulutzan took the head coaching job in Dallas with the Stars — so a case can be made that both coaching losses impacted the 2025-2026 roster. The defense may be the bigger problem — or at least the more pressing problem — and Coffey was known as a bit of a blueline whisperer.
However, Seravalli suggested that Coffey wasn’t exactly whispering while running behind the bench.
Did Coffey fall out with other coaches?
Seravalli said something that wasn’t really known yet when he noted: “I think he has butted heads with some of the other members of the coaching staff at various times because of how tough he is.” Coffey is known for being opinionated and direct, but there have been no previous reports of him being at odds with other coaches.
Seravalli hinted that this may have been the case and may have been one of the reasons he moved on. He added, “But it’s also part of what made this Oiler defense a lot more formidable. He kept everyone on their toes because he’s someone who has that intensity to him.”
One of the criticisms of the Oilers this season is that they lack motivation. The team seems to be lacking in energy, practically requiring a sky-is-fall scenario before they flip a switch and start playing at a level they are capable of. Seravalli noted, “It’s been way too laissez-faire for the Oilers to start this season so far. Their attention to detail, their effort, their consistency, all those things.” The NHL insider wonders if Coffey wouldn’t have let it get to the point where it is now. “…you can’t dispute the results because the Oilers used to play much, much better defense under his control.”
Next: Analysts list 3 lateral or upgrade trades Oilers could make
#Insider #hints #unreported #divisions #previous #Oilers #coaching #group