**“RELEASE: Edmonton Oilers Bolster Bench by Adding Glen McFarland, Yoan Aubry, and Noah Allen to Coaching Staff Ahead of New Season”**
The Edmonton Oilers made waves throughout the NHL world with their latest announcement, officially releasing the names of three new additions to their coaching staff: Glen McFarland, Yoan Aubry, and Noah Allen. It’s a significant reshaping of the Oilers’ bench leadership, an aggressive signal that the franchise is determined to build on its deep playoff run and take the final step toward hoisting the Stanley Cup. The appointment of these three individuals isn’t just about filling vacancies—it’s a strategic recalibration designed to inject fresh ideas, complementary voices, and specialized expertise into the locker room at a pivotal moment in Edmonton’s championship window.
The decision to bring in Glen McFarland is one that immediately resonates with hockey insiders and longtime followers of the league. Known for his high-level tactical mind and progressive views on special teams play, McFarland has developed a sterling reputation across North America. After several impactful years with various AHL and junior clubs, where he helped guide some of the most potent power play units in recent memory, McFarland is stepping into an NHL spotlight with a clear mandate: enhance Edmonton’s already elite power play and contribute to a more dynamic, modernized 5-on-5 offensive scheme. The Oilers, who have long leaned on their overwhelming individual talent to overwhelm opponents, are now signaling their intent to blend creativity with structure. McFarland’s arrival is emblematic of a team that’s no longer content relying on instinct alone—they want systems that can thrive under playoff pressure, when space tightens and improvisation only gets you so far.
Then there’s Yoan Aubry, a hire that might seem under the radar to casual fans but is being celebrated within coaching circles as a shrewd and forward-looking move. Aubry brings with him an extensive background in analytics-driven decision-making and video coordination, having carved out a niche for himself as one of the more meticulous and forward-thinking assistants in European hockey. His most recent work with a top club in Sweden saw him implement innovative neutral zone structures and a highly disciplined penalty kill that routinely frustrated more talented opponents. Aubry’s strength lies not only in breaking down film but in translating those insights into actionable coaching—bridging the gap between theory and execution in a way that resonates with players. For the Oilers, whose penalty kill has at times been their Achilles’ heel, Aubry could be the missing link in turning that weakness into a weapon. Additionally, his fluency in both English and French enhances the club’s cultural and communicative versatility, an underrated advantage in the modern NHL.
Finally, the addition of Noah Allen as a development coach completes the trio and underscores the franchise’s renewed commitment to building from within. While McFarland and Aubry are expected to have immediate impact on NHL-level systems and game-day decisions, Allen’s role is more long-term and player-focused. He comes highly regarded from his time working with young prospects in the WHL and at Hockey Canada development camps, where his reputation as a communicator and mentor has only grown. Allen’s strength lies in his ability to relate to emerging talent while instilling pro-level habits and work ethic. In a franchise that boasts a growing pipeline of young, hungry players knocking on the NHL door, Allen will serve as a critical guidepost—ensuring that those prospects not only make the leap to the NHL but do so ready to contribute meaningfully. He’ll work closely with both the Bakersfield Condors and with call-ups to the main roster, providing continuity in instruction and vision from the AHL to the NHL.
Taken together, the hiring of McFarland, Aubry, and Allen suggests a sea change in Edmonton’s coaching philosophy. This is not simply a matter of bringing in fresh bodies; it’s about diversity of thought, adaptability, and holistic growth. The Oilers’ core—anchored by Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and a maturing supporting cast—is already elite. But what this group needed, particularly after a heartbreaking end to their recent Stanley Cup Final campaign, was an infusion of strategic nuance and development-driven discipline. By adding coaches who emphasize preparation, adaptability, and precision, Edmonton is laying the groundwork for sustained success, not just another shot in the dark.
Glen McFarland’s voice will be crucial on the bench. His responsibilities are expected to include power play design, in-game tactical adjustments, and player usage efficiency. While Edmonton has led the league in power play percentage over multiple seasons, playoffs are where execution tightens and predictability becomes dangerous. McFarland’s schemes aim to mitigate that by layering misdirection and movement in ways that keep defenders guessing. He’s known for creating playbooks that rely on reading defensive posture rather than adhering to rigid set plays—a subtle shift, but one that empowers stars like McDavid and Draisaitl to operate more freely without falling into patterned traps.
Yoan Aubry, meanwhile, will be pivotal in sharpening the team’s structural integrity. His familiarity with hybrid systems—where teams flex between man and zone coverage depending on puck location—is something that could particularly benefit an Edmonton defensive group still looking for full consistency. Aubry’s teachings have previously turned mid-tier blue lines into cohesive, low-event units. Edmonton doesn’t necessarily want to suppress offense, but it does want to defend less by chasing the puck and more by dictating terms. Aubry’s role in shaping the penalty kill and improving transition defense could be transformational. His attention to video detail and his ability to isolate opponent tendencies will also give the Oilers a sharper edge in playoff matchups, where minor tactical tweaks often dictate the outcome of series.
Noah Allen’s presence extends beyond Xs and Os. His job is more pastoral, more relational—he’s tasked with understanding how young players think, how they react to adversity, and how they can be molded into consistent contributors without being overwhelmed. His previous players speak glowingly of his commitment, his late-night film sessions, his individual shooting drills, and the simple fact that he shows up early and stays late. Allen is the kind of coach who checks in on a player’s family, monitors confidence levels, and creates plans tailored to each individual’s strengths and weaknesses. In a world where development is often outsourced or generalized, Allen’s one-on-one approach is a luxury—one that could pay major dividends for the Oilers’ long-term depth.
The timing of this coaching staff evolution is critical. Edmonton knows it’s operating inside a finite window. McDavid and Draisaitl are in their prime, but roster flexibility, salary cap pressures, and the unpredictable nature of pro sports mean that every year is precious. Last season’s playoff run was proof of concept: this team can win, and not just in the regular season. But to convert from contender to champion, it needs more than just talent. It needs coaching voices that can solve problems in real time, tailor plans to different opponents, and foster internal development so that depth players are ready when injuries hit or fatigue sets in.
There’s also an emotional and psychological component to this kind of coaching reset. By hiring from both outside the organization and outside the NHL’s traditional coaching carousel, the Oilers are betting on ideas rather than names. That matters. It sends a message that creativity is valued, that progressiveness is prioritized, and that players will be challenged intellectually, not just physically. Edmonton could have simply reshuffled its existing assistants or plucked from the usual pool of veteran NHL bench coaches. Instead, it chose voices that offer new perspectives, different experiences, and complementary skill sets. It’s a sign that the franchise is evolving—not just reacting to the past, but actively building toward a smarter future.
As training camp approaches, all eyes will be on how these new hires integrate into the existing framework. Head coach Kris Knoblauch now has at his disposal one of the most diverse and forward-thinking staffs in the NHL. There will be adjustments, both in terminology and in player-coach chemistry. But there is also an unmistakable sense of momentum—like a wave building under the surface, just waiting for its moment to break. If things click, this revamped coaching brain trust could be the final ingredient Edmonton has been seeking for nearly two decades.
It’s easy to look at the big names on the ice and assume the Oilers’ future lies solely in their hands. But hockey, perhaps more than any other sport, is a game of details—a game of seconds and inches, of shifts and matchups, of subtle reads and reactions. Coaching, done right, is the lever that turns potential into performance. And with Glen McFarland, Yoan Aubry, and Noah Allen now behind the bench, the Edmonton Oilers have quietly pulled one of the most important levers of all.
