The Edmonton Oilers’ defense has been alarmingly bad: so bad that Elliotte Friedman had to absolve Stuart Skinner of some of his responsibility for the team’s woes to hold the blueliner corps of Edmonton more accountable.
While the team’s goaltending has sufficient room for improvement, the importance of a better defense is not lost on the fans and analysts. The team has overall lacked the hunger and drive this season that are necessary for a team to snag wins. On the subject of poor defense, Frank Seravalli has noted how the absence of a franchise legend has worsened the situation.
Edmonton Oilers’ Defense Has Not Fared Well Without Paul Coffey
“Nobody is scared of the Oilers’ defense. There isn’t a single team in the league that does not think right now that no matter how much we are down, we can get where we need to in their D-zone,” Friedman had stated, aptly expressing the growing frustration around the team’s underwhelming performances.
Following the team’s second successive loss to the Florida Panthers in 2025, Paul Coffey stepped down from his role as an assistant coach, working with the Oilers’ defense. The former Oilers blueliner continues to be associated with the team, working as the Special Advisor to ownership and hockey operations, a position he is well acquainted with.
However, the team’s defense has undoubtedly taken a hit this season. How much of that has got to do with Coffey’s absence on the bench? According to Seravlli, the former d-man gave Edmonton’s defense the edge it needed. “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. But it’s also part of what made this Oiler defence a lot more formidable,” the insider stated on B/R Open Ice.
One of the significant and very apparent setbacks that the Oilers have faced this season is their lack of emotion and drive. Through his hands-on attitude, Coffey could have helped address that pertinent issue.
“He kept everyone on their toes because he’s someone that has that intensity to him. I think it’s been way too laissez-faire for the Oilers so far to start this season. Their attention to detail, their effort, their consistency, all those things. Not a perfect situation with Paul Coffey, I don’t think. But you can’t argue with the results because the Oilers defended much, much better previously under his control,” Seravalli added.
Seravalli helped put into perspective how adversely Coffey’s absence has impacted the Oilers. Making a case for Edmonton’s current defensive situation is extremely difficult, with discontent brewing among the fan base.
