Speculation Swirls Again as Coffey’s Name Reenters the Oilers Conversation

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman said in his most recent 32 Thoughts column, “There were rumours last week that Edmonton was considering bringing back Paul Coffey, but that was denied to me.” The Oilers are struggling and as such, all sorts of speculation will surround the team. That includes bringing back a coach who worked with a blue line that appeared to be much more successful under his run.

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Paul Almeida writes, “I would love to be a fly on the wall when Katz is talking to Paul Coffey about this Oilers team.” Isn’t that the truth? Coffey, who has gone back to his role as a special advisor to team owner Darryl Katz, is his eyes and ears for all things good and bad with the team. Currently, things aren’t great and you know those conversations can’t be fun.

Related: Insider Hints at Unreported Rift Within Oilers’ Previous Coaching Group

Coffey first took the job as a favor, even though he didn’t want it. His mantra was ‘Anything that would help the team’, so he took what was to be a temporary position and stayed for two seasons. Coffey left this summer with no desire to return to the road and a full-time schedule. Fans are thinking the team could use him again.

Another NHL insider, Frank Seravalli, recently noted, “I think that’s one of the things that hasn’t been talked about enough, the coaching staff changes that occurred in Edmonton…” Interestingly, he also added, “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.”

The Issues With a Coffey Return to the Oilers Are Many

One, if Coffey doesn’t want to come back, it’s tough to imagine he does that favor again. Two, if he did have some communication issues with other coaches because he’s got high expectations, perhaps the Oilers could use that kind of fire, but they might not be keen to sign up for it. Third, the Oilers might be looking to get this road trip and arguably the toughest schedule to start the season of any team. If things continue to slide, changes might be necessary.

Those changes might not just extend to the defense. It seems wild to think that a head coach who just got a new three-year extension would be on the hot seat, but there is chatter that Kris Knoblauch is struggling to get this team back on track and his leash is getting shorter. The Oilers have made coaching changes near the start of a season before. It has worked both times.

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