NHL insiders confirm a personal issue is holding back Coffey from returning as Oilers coach
Photo credit: Bob Frid - Imagn Images
As the Oilers struggle to reach their full potential this season, fans have wondered if Paul Coffey may be under consideration to return to the bench.
So far NHL insiders have offered conflicting reports on Coffey’s future. Now, insiders are reporting that some personal issues may be the reason that Coffey won’t return to work with Kris Knoblauch and this year’s Oilers.
NHL insider reports “fences would need to be mended” for Coffey to return to Oilers bench
In a recent interview with the Kevin Karius Show, Frank Seravalli reported that there are some personal issues between Coffey and Knoblauch. The two would need to reconcile their differences and forgive things that cropped up last year, which makes it unlikely Coffey would return.
They’re openly talking about it in meetings. They are discussing the possibility with Kris Knoblauch and Paul Coffey.
I think the best way to describe the scenario is there are fences that would need to be mended. The way things played out …
Both Kris Knoblauch and Paul Coffey have probably been pretty stubborn in their viewpoints that led to more disagreements than normal.
- Frank Seravalli
I think the best way to describe the scenario is there are fences that would need to be mended. The way things played out …
Both Kris Knoblauch and Paul Coffey have probably been pretty stubborn in their viewpoints that led to more disagreements than normal.
- Frank Seravalli
That lines up with other reports from Elliotte Friedman, who suggested it may not be an easy thing to do to reunite last year’s coaching staff.
This isn’t exactly news either. Last offseason, reports surfaced that Coffey and Knoblauch butted heads at times over their time together.
It seems that both men have very different ways they’d like to coach the team, and with their stubborn personalities, it may be an irreconcilable relationship.
Coffey brought a lot to the Oilers in his two seasons with the team. He has the unique ability to actually relate to the players being a former Oilers’ superstar with Stanley Cup experience.
Players often spoke about how fun it was to play under Coffey and the unique things he brought to the locker room as a loud voice. Oilers fans know by now, Knoblauch is more quiet and analytical than Coffey, and has a much different view on how to play.
If the Oilers decide to make a change or addition to their coaching staff this season, it seems like it’ll be a new voice entirely - not a reunion with Paul Coffey.
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