Paul Coffey to return to Oilers’ coaching staff
The Edmonton Oilers announced Wednesday morning that Paul Coffey will return to their coaching staff after the Olympic break.
Coffey, 64, previously served on Kris Knoblauch’s coaching staff in Edmonton during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, helping the club reach the Stanley Cup Final in both years while overseeing their defensive group.
“I have been in regular contact with Paul since last summer and I believe we will benefit both as a team and as a staff from his return at this time,” Knoblauch said in a statement on Wednesday.
“I’m excited to return and work alongside Kris and the entire staff,” Coffey added. “With 24 games left in the season, there is ample time to build on the many positives and build momentum for another long playoff run.”
Paul Coffey is returning to the #Oilers coaching staff. nhl.com/oilers/news/re…
A four-time Stanley Cup champion with the Oilers and Pittsburgh Penguins during his Hall of Fame playing career, Coffey has worked with the Oilers in multiple capacities in his retirement. He rejoined the organization as a skills coach in the 2017-18 season before later becoming a special advisor to Oilers owner and chairman Daryl Katz.
Coffey had been serving in his advisory capacity when the Oilers reassigned him to their bench after making a coaching change in 2023. He returned to that advisory role after last season but will now work directly with Knoblauch once more.
The Oilers originally selected Coffey with the No. 6 overall pick in the 1980 NHL Draft. The Weston, Ontario product won the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenseman three times in his career and set a league record with 48 goals with the Oilers in the 1985-86 season.
In total, Coffey recorded 396 goals and 1,531 points in 1,409 career games over 21 seasons split between the Oilers, Penguins, Los Angeles Kings, Detroit Red Wings, Hartford Whalers, Philadelphia Flyers, Chicago Blackhawks, Carolina Hurricanes, and Boston Bruins. He added 59 goals and 196 points in 194 career playoff contests.