Paul Coffey reportedly "butted heads" with Oilers org, NHL insider reveals
Photo credit: Bob Fried - Imagn Images
After the Oilers blowout 5-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres, noise is starting to emerge on the future of the coaching staff - including some info on former coach Paul Coffey.
NHL insiders have confirmed that Coach Knoblauch is feeling pressure from the Oilers organization, and a change could potentially be made in the near future. However, there may have also been some issues with last year's staff too.
Oilers coach Paul Coffey reportedly butted heads with organization, but may return
In a new report today, NHL insider Frank Seravalli spoke about the impact Coffey had on the Oilers defence - and his shaky relationship with the rest of the staff.
They lose Paul Coffey, who's still an advisor to the team but no longer in an assistant coach role.
I think he butted heads at various points in his time with some other members of the coaching staff because of the hard edge he has. But it's also part of what made this Oilers defence a lot more formidable.
- Frank Seravalli
I think he butted heads at various points in his time with some other members of the coaching staff because of the hard edge he has. But it's also part of what made this Oilers defence a lot more formidable.
- Frank Seravalli
Coffey was constantly encouraging his defenceman to make plays, taking advantage of the skill forwards on the Oilers roster. His method was preaching quick, confident, and skillful breakout systems - and now this year, the Oilers can't break out a puck to save their lives.
There's equally major problems with the offence, also raising questions about how much former assistant Glenn Gulutzan was responsible for too.
On today's edition of OilersNow, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported that he heard it was a possibility Coffey could return to the bench. That won't be happening, but another solution may be coming.
«Some people said to me last week, they were hearing rumors that coffee might be coming back. I looked into that and I was told that wasn't the case.
But I think that if this doesn't clean up, you're going to start hearing more theories on what they're going to do about this.
- Elliotte Friedman
But I think that if this doesn't clean up, you're going to start hearing more theories on what they're going to do about this.
- Elliotte Friedman
Things are breaking down quickly for the Oilers now past the quarter mark of the season, and nothing is improving. If they don't see signs of life on the rest of this road trip, a shake-up move will be needed.
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