Three-time Stanley Cup champion linked to Oilers general manager's job

PUBLICATION

Ryan Hall
July 4, 2024 (3:39 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

Over the past several days, it appears that three times Stanley Cup champion and Oilers assistant coach Paul Coffey is linked to the Oilers general manager job.

Coffey who had made it clear at the beginning of this season that he had no interest in becoming an assistant coach after general manager Ken Holland fired former head coach Jay Woodcroft and assistant coach Dave Manson. Holland felt that he would be helpful on the bench and his impact was felt immediately.

Coffey is quite familiar with the Oilers organization as he played for the team for seven seasons and won 3 Stanley cups along with being one of the best defensemen of all time, worked as a skills and development coach in 2018, became an advisor to Oilers owner Daryl Katz and then was asked to step behind the bench for this season.

There have been rumblings of an aspiration to become part of the management group and putting a man like Coffey in charge as GM, who would work with Jeff Jackson might be a tandem the team is looking for.

Even though other names including Stan Bowman, Mark Hunter, Keith Gretzky have been mentioned, Oilers players have their full respect for Coffey It could make this an easier choice.

As Jackson mentioned during a recent interview, he needs a few days to decompress after a very busy schedule from the Stanley Cup finals to the NHL awards and fulfilling the general manager's duties during free agency, it's likely he will begin his search over the coming week or two.

I would expect Coffey to be on that short list.