Latest news with #PaulCoffey
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Will going "off the board" with new coaches cause the Edmonton Oilers to hit or miss their ultimate target
The Edmonton Oilers have re-vamped their coaching staff. The Cult of Hockey's David Staples writes about the breaking news from this (Monday) morning as well as some reaction to it, here. In addition to David's work, here are some more basics along with context and quotes from Head Coach Kris Knoblauch: Paul Coffey is not returning as Defence coach, returning instead to his previous role upstairs. 'We'll still have conversations with Paul, and Paul will still give us his insight on how the team is playing and what we could be doing'. Assistant Coach Mark Stuart had his contract extended and his duties expanded to include the Defence corps in addition to the Penalty Kill. Kris Knoblauch spoke to the fact that in between good runs the kill struggled mightily at times this past season: 'There will be changes to our system, (and) we will be doing things a little bit differently'. Paul McFarland will join Knoblauch behind the bench, help coach the forwards and be responsible for the much-vaunted Oilers Power Play: 'Just the fact that he has been running an NHL power play for many years, started in Toronto, Florida and then Seattle'. McFarland coached the WHL's Calgary Hitmen last year. He had previous OHL experience in Kingston and Oshawa, where he and Knoblauch coached against one another. They also briefly coached together for Hockey Canada. And a new Goalie Coach also arrives in the person of Peter Aubry from Omaha and Division I College. Aubry also has eight years of experience in the Chicago organization as a developmental coach. Obviously, G.M. Stan Bowman has a take on his abilities. Here is Knoblauch's: 'He'll be able to push those guys and uh…you know, bring a different perspective and hopefully you know elevate them to get those to play at their best more often'. Finally, Connor Allen is the new Team Skills coach. Some big picture thoughts: -It is highly appropriate for Kris Knoblauch to put his own stamp on his coaching staff. He had inherited practically everyone. But having coached the club to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals appearances, he has earned the right. -Having one less coach on the bench is significant. One less set of eyes, yes, but also one less voice that might complicate communication, between the staff yes but also between staff and players. I think this point may be a hidden benefit. There is an old saying 'nothing kills greatness like consensus'. -I believe Glen Gulutzan would have been back had he not gotten the Dallas job. A loss for the organization, but you have to be happy for Gulutzan. His are easily the biggest shoes (or skates, I guess) to fill. McFarland's advantage is that the same elite players are available to deploy. His enthusiasm should be a plus. His record while guiding Seattle's Man Advantage was not great, in the mid-twenties in terms of Expected Goals. To be fair, it was also with talent much inferior to Edmonton's. -The 'loudest' position being filled today is undoubtably with the goaltending. I saw no meaningful improvements available in free agency. Getting the promise you already possess in Stuart Skinner to be more consistent is now job one. The organization has decided against 'tried and true' NHL experience. Aubry has worked with the likes of Anton Forsberg, Kevin Lankinen and Arvid Soderbloom. So, let's see how it goes for him here. -Paul Coffey's contribution in terms of experience and the freeing effect he had on the D-corps to make plays and move the puck more consistently were big pluses. But I also feel a different voice and approach is the correct next step. The mere lack of Coffey's physical presence on the bench and in the room is meaningful. -But I do not mind how 'fresh' these selections are. These are not 'been there, done that' guys that just keep being recycled from team to team. McFarland is not yet forty. It is Aubry's first mainstream NHL gig (after lots of AHL time). Maybe he can come at this with fresh eyes and ideas. All these guys should be hungry and motivated. -One reservation I do have is that there will not be a man on the bench in addition to Knoblauch that has NHL Head Coaching experience. Not that Kris needs it, specifically. I just tend to think that all coaches find it helpful. Will these changes get the Oilers over the top, in terms of their Stanley Cup aspirations? Only time will tell. But we all know what the definition of insanity is…right? Now on Bluesky @ Also, find me on Threads @kleavins, Twitter @KurtLeavins, Instagram at LeavinsOnHockey, and Mastodon at KurtLeavins@ This article is not AI generated. STAPLES: What (if anything) the Edmonton Oilers should do about Carter Hart LEAVINS: Which of thee Oilers prospects will make the biggest impact Bruce McCurdy, 1955-2025. Don't miss the news you need to know — add and to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here.
CTV News
14-07-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Coffey will not return as Oilers assistant coach, Schwartz out as goaltending coach
Edmonton Oilers assistant coach Paul Coffey talks players during practice before Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final against the Florida Panthers, in Edmonton on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson Hall of Fame defenceman Paul Coffey will not be behind the Edmonton Oilers bench next season, and the NHL club is moving on from goaltending coach Dustin Schwartz. The Oilers announced the moves Monday, which included the addition of Paul McFarland, Peter Aubry and Conor Allen to their coaching staff. Aubrey takes over as goaltending coach, while McFarland will serve as an assistant coach, and Allen will handle team skills. The club said Coffey will return to his role as a special adviser to ownership and hockey operations after having a more hands-on role last season, working with the defence as assistant coach. His role on the bench will be filled by the 39-year-old McFarland spent last season as head coach of the Western Hockey League's Calgary Hitmen. He makes his return to the NHL after working as an assistant coach for the Seattle Kraken for three seasons (2021-24). He also spent time as an assistant with the Florida Panthers (2017-19) and Toronto Maple Leafs (2019-20). Schwartz had been Edmonton's goaltending coach since 2014. While the Oilers made it to back-to-back Stanley Cup finals over the past two years, the inconsistent play of their goaltenders in the post-season became an area of concern. They will aim for more stability under the 48-year-old Aubry, who spent two seasons as an associate coach at Nebraska-Omaha (NCAA). He spent eight seasons (2015-16 to 2023-24) as the Chicago Blackhawks' developmental goaltending coach as well as the goaltending coach for the team's AHL affiliate in Rockford. Allen, 35, spent last season with the United States' U17 team and has also recently worked in a skill development role with the Sioux City Musketeers. The Oilers also confirmed contract extensions for assistant coach Mark Stuart and video coach Noah Segall. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 14, 2025. The Canadian Press
CBC
14-07-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Hall of Fame blueliner Paul Coffey will not return as Oilers assistant coach
Hall of Fame defenceman Paul Coffey will not be behind the Edmonton Oilers bench next season, and the NHL club is moving on from goaltending coach Dustin Schwartz. The Oilers announced the moves Monday, which included the addition of Paul McFarland, Peter Aubry and Conor Allen to their coaching staff. Aubrey takes over as goaltending coach, while McFarland will serve as an assistant coach, and Allen will handle team skills. The club said Coffey will return to his role as a special adviser to ownership and hockey operations after having a more hands-on role last season, working with the defence as assistant coach. His role on the bench will be filled by the 39-year-old McFarland, who spent last season as head coach of the Western Hockey League's Calgary Hitmen. He makes his return to the NHL after working as an assistant coach for the Seattle Kraken for three seasons (2021-24). He also spent time as an assistant with the Florida Panthers (2017-19) and Toronto Maple Leafs (2019-20). Schwartz had been Edmonton's goaltending coach since 2014. While the Oilers made it to back-to-back Stanley Cup finals over the past two years, the inconsistent play of their goaltenders in the post-season became an area of concern. They will aim for more stability under the 48-year-old Aubry, who spent two seasons as an associate coach at Nebraska-Omaha (NCAA). He spent eight seasons (2015-16 to 2023-24) as the Chicago Blackhawks' developmental goaltending coach as well as the goaltending coach for the team's AHL affiliate in Rockford. Allen, 35, spent last season with the United States' U17 team and has also recently worked in a skill development role with the Sioux City Musketeers.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Edmonton Oilers reportedly open to moving out top d-man this summer, but he isn't
This in from Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, news that the Edmonton Oilers asked some players with No Movement Clauses, including veteran d-man Darnell Nurse, if they were open to waiving them and accepting a trade this summer. This comes even as Nurse was the top d-man for the Oilers when it came to even strength ice-time in the playoffs, the go-to guy in the eyes of d-man coach Paul Coffey. Said Friedman: 'I think basically Edmonton went to a check with all their guys who had no trade clauses, who they would want to move and say, 'Okay, how many of you are willing to go places?' And (Viktor) Arvidson said he was, so he went. But, you know, Nurse, I don't think he wants to go anywhere. (Adam) Henrique, I'm not convinced he wants to go anywhere. So that's kind of where it ended up. They made it clear they liked being part of something where they can win, and they decided to stay, as is their right.' 1. Friedman is likely the NHL's top insider. If he says he thinks that this happened with Nurse, I'll go with that. It's significant because it's the first credible news we've heard about the Oilers having any interest in moving out Nurse in a trade. Nurse has five years left on a deal that pays him $9.25 million per year. He's got a full no-movement clause now, which changes to a no-trade clause in the final three years of his contract. 2. Nurse had likely his single best season as an NHL d-man in the 2024-25 regular season, playing smart, tough, sound two-way hockey. But then he cratered in the playoffs. Once again he leaked goals and Grade A shots against. Worse, it was the fourth season in a row where Nurse's playoff performance had been significantly worse than his regular season play. What's that all about? Why such a consistent drop in performance in the playoffs? If Nurse and Oilers can't figure it out, they're going to struggle to win a Cup, at least given the minutes that Nurse plays and the size of his contract. 3. Would there be a market for Nurse? Why not, especially given that the Florida Panthers won the Cup with a brutally aggressive style of play. At his best, Nurse is a brutally aggressive defender who moves the puck fast and true, and who defends in sound fashion. Nurse consistently played that kind of hockey during the 2024-25 regular season, so much so that I had high hopes he'd do the same in the playoffs. But not to be. 4. It's the second year in a row the Oilers have struggled to find a d-man partner who works with Nurse in the playoffs, with many of those who have tried and failed getting axed from the team or leaving Edmonton. That list includes Cody Ceci, Vincent Desharnais and Philip Broberg last year, plus John Klingberg this year. Brett Kulak tried and failed to succeed with Nurse in the playoffs both this year and last. Troy Stecher had some success with Nurse against VGK and Dallas, but the pairing crumpled against Florida, where Nurse's passing game disintegrated into a series of icings, as hockey commentator Dimitri Filipovic documented. 5. Can Nurse bring his strong regular season performance to the playoffs in 2026. I don't see why not, but it's often said in Oil Country: 'Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.' I can see why the Oilers would ask Nurse to waive no-movement clause. It might well be unwelcome for Nurse to face this, but it's a fair response to his playoff performances, and it's a signal for him to figure out what's going on and how he can fix it. Perhaps this jolt from management will provide Nurse with the right push to finally get to the bottom of his playoff woes and to figure out how he get it right on hockey's biggest stage.
CBC
17-06-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Cancelling God Save the King anthem for schools violated the law, Manitoba trustee says in court action
A western Manitoba school trustee is taking court action against his fellow trustees, claiming they violated the Public Schools Act by halting a plan to bring God Save the King back into the classrooms of Mountain View School Division. Paul Coffey filed an application on June 2 with the Court of King's Bench for a hearing on the matter, now set for June 23 in Dauphin. His application names trustees Scott Lynxleg, Gabe Mercier, Floyd Martens, Conrad Nabess, John Taylor, and Jarri Thompson as respondents. Coffey accuses them of acting outside the scope of their legal authority, breaching their duties, undermining the board's legitimacy and exposing it to legal and reputational risk. Coffey wants authorization to apply to another judge for a declaration the other trustees violated the act, and to have their decision overturned. CBC News has reached out to the respondents. In an emailed response, Lynxleg said, "We have been advised to make no comment until court proceedings are completed." In mid-January, Jason Gryba, the chair of the Dauphin-based division's board, issued a directive that the royal anthem must be included in morning announcements at division schools, along with O Canada and land acknowledgements. The move was based on the Patriotic Observances Regulation, a little-used rule in Manitoba legislation that says O Canada must be played at the start of the school day, while God Save the King should be played at the end of the day or the end of opening exercises. The practice has not been enforced for decades, and the Manitoba School Boards Association has said it was unaware of any other boards that maintain the tradition. In a 6-3 vote on Jan. 27, the board voted to stay the plan, and see whether it is legally required and supported by area residents. Gryba and Coffee voted against, while trustee Kerri Wieler abstained. The six trustees named as respondents voted in favour. The anthem is considered a musical salute to the British monarch. Indigenous groups have spoken out against colonization at the hands of the monarchy. Jarri Thompson, a First Nations trustee, put forward a motion to halt the move. It was seconded by Lynxleg, another First Nations trustee. In his application, Coffey states the Patriotic Observances Regulation is still a requirement and "the law is not optional." Under the Public Schools Act, trustees are legally bound to uphold all legislation and their oaths. No legal authority permits a school board to stay a provincial regulation — any changes to legislation must follow lawful procedures, not unilateral resolutions, the application states. The trustees were warned about that "at least 11 times" before the vote, yet breached their duties anyway, the application alleges. Because of that, the public and courts cannot have confidence that future decisions by the board will comply with the law, it claims. The board — which oversees 16 schools with a $50-million budget, 3,100 students and 700 staff — must adhere to the law in order to preserve confidence in its legitimacy and accountability, the application states. Discord on the board Coffey, in his application, called the vote part of "a broader pattern of governance failures and jurisdictional overreach" by some trustees. Discord among board members last year ultimately prompted the government of Manitoba to appoint a third-party panel to oversee operations. That, in turn, led Gryba and Wieler to accuse province of intimidation. In April 2024, Coffey gave a presentation at a board meeting where he said the residential school system began as a good thing. He also questioned the level of abuse at the schools and said the term "white privilege" is "racist." In June of last year, Gryba, Taylor, Wieler and Coffey also voted to fire the division's superintendent, which led to three trustees quitting days later. And in September, the board defied the provincially appointed panel by holding a meeting with just four trustees, fewer than the required quorum. The tumult on the board has been attributed to new trustees butting heads with the old guard. Lynxleg, one of the trustees elected in October to fill the vacancies, has said he would like to see the province eradicate the Patriotic Observances Regulation altogether. The province appears to agree. In March, the NDP government introduced a bill in the legislature to formally eliminate the requirement, but it has yet to be debated, after the Opposition Progressive Conservatives used their right under House rules to hold the bill back at the end of the legislature's spring sitting. The bill would also end a requirement that the Lord's Prayer be recited. Mandatory prayer in schools was struck down by the Manitoba Court of Queen's Bench in 1992 but the rule has not been formally removed. It would also require all school boards to have policies respecting land and treaty acknowledgements — something most already have in place.
