After another deep playoff run that ended just shy of the Stanley Cup, the Edmonton Oilers are reconfiguring their bench. Among the most notable changes, Hall of Fame defenseman Paul Coffey is stepping down from his assistant coaching role and returning to a senior advisory position within the front office.
While the decision wasn’t a complete surprise, fans were left wondering why Coffey, widely credited with helping shape the Oilers’ blue line, now chose to step away from day-to-day coaching. According to NHL analyst Jason Gregor, the answer lies in a mix of health, philosophy, and fit.
Why Paul Coffey Stepped Away From the Edmonton Oilers’ Bench
“Paul [Coffey] was kind of year by year. I do know that,” Gregor explained. “His back was giving him a little bit of problems, standing on the bench all the time.”
Gregor also pointed to Coffey’s unique coaching style as a defining feature of his impact. It worked, but may have had its limits as the team evolved.
“Paul came in and, no one can debate that, he helped change the mindset of some of their defenders,” Gregor said. “He challenged them and said, ‘Guys, I just want you to make plays. I don’t care if you’re Evan Bouchard. I don’t care if you’re Vincent Desharnais.’”
Under Coffey’s guidance, the Oilers’ defense noticeably improved. His in-game teaching and confidence-building focus allowed young players to lean into their instincts. However, as Gregor noted, coaching at the NHL level often demands more structure.
“Coffey was old school,” he said. “He didn’t do a lot of video time with his defense; he did most of his coaching in-game and talked to them. He was really into the mindset of just trying to help build their confidence more than anything.”
Even when video was used, the purpose was clear: “In the odd times he did show video, it was just showing them, ‘Here’s all the plays you make,’ to try to remind the player that you’re good.”
Despite the respect Coffey commanded, Gregor suggested the decision to move him back into an advisory role was mutual.
“I think it came down to a variety of different things,” he said. “The coach kind of wanted to have his own choice on who he wanted from the guys he worked with. I wasn’t sure how 100% Coffey was all in. If you’re going to be a coach, you’ve got to be 100% all in. I think it was kind of a multi-decision between all sides here.”
New Coaches, New Direction for the Oilers
Coffey’s move is part of a larger overhaul of the Oilers’ coaching staff. Paul McFarland has joined as an assistant and is expected to take over the power play. With previous stops in Toronto, Florida, and Seattle, McFarland brings a strong track record and a more analytics-driven approach.
📰 NEW COACHES‼️
The #Oilers have added Paul McFarland (assistant), Peter Aubry (goaltending) & Conor Allen (skills) to their coaching staff.https://t.co/XmAqHluQWD
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) July 14, 2025
Goaltending coach Dustin Schwartz has been replaced by Peter Aubry, who most recently worked in the NCAA and AHL. Connor Allen joins as the new skills coach, while Mark Stuart stays on to oversee the penalty kill.
Though Coffey will no longer be behind the bench, he remains a part of the organization. His new role will be less hands-on, but still influential in shaping the future of the Oilers’ defense and overall game strategy.
