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Paul Coffey could be in line for major promotion with Oilers, insider suggests


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Liam McCormick
February 10, 2026  (10:51)
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Paul Coffey
Photo credit: Imagn Images

There’s been plenty of rumours recently that Paul Coffey could be returning to the Oilers bench as defence coach, but one insider thinks a move to being a GM is more fitting.

Insiders have recently revealed conflicting reports on the possibility of Coffey joining the Oilers bench. Adding Coffey seems to be the easiest path to shaking up the coaching staff, and reclaiming the magic of the last two seasons - but it’s not a guarantee.

Oilers insider suggests Paul Coffey is better suited as General Manager

Oilers insider Jason Gregor is floating a very interesting idea: Coffey coming back would force a head coach change, so instead, he may be a better fit as the General Manager.
I think we both agree that Coffey’s not coming back. That would be odd. If Coffey came back, I think you’d have to change the head coach.

Looking further down the road, if things don’t go the way the organization wants in the next few years, I think Paul Coffey may be more of a General Manager than a coach.

- Jason Gregor

Gregor mentioning that Coffey’s return would have to force a head coach change is also notable. Insider Elliotte Friedman reported that not all parties want Coffey to return, and with previous reports that there was some friction between Coffey and Knoblauch, it seems the pair just don’t want to work together.
In a few more seasons if Stan Bowman can’t get the Oilers over the hump for a Stanley Cup, Coffey could very well be in consideration for General Manager. He’s currently serving as special advisor to owner Daryl Katz, which gives him an ‘in’ to the position right away.
That said, it’s another conversation if Coffey really should be hired as a GM. He’s 64 years old with no prior GM experience, and Oilers fans have seen how the ‘old boys club’ has poorly run the team before.
Coffey brought a unique presence to the Oilers’ locker room and got his defenceman to play some of the best hockey of their careers. He clearly has a fit on the coaching staff right now, but it seems unlikely to happen.
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Paul Coffey could be in line for major promotion with Oilers, insider suggests

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