“Major Shakeup in Oil Country: Paul Coffey Steps Down, Mark Stuart Promoted as Oilers Unveil New Coaching Staff Including Goalie Guru Peter Aubry”
The Edmonton Oilers have officially ushered in a new chapter behind the bench, one that signals a calculated and ambitious reshuffling of the team’s coaching staff. In a flurry of organizational moves, the Oilers confirmed several significant changes, headlined by the resignation of Hall of Famer Paul Coffey from his position as assistant coach. Coffey will now return to his previous role as special advisor to the organization. Meanwhile, Mark Stuart, who joined the coaching ranks last season, has re-signed and been promoted to First Assistant Coach, signaling growing confidence in his leadership presence and tactical insight. These developments are part of a broader restructuring that includes the hiring of a new goaltending coach, a skills coach, and an assistant coach—each bringing a unique blend of experience and vision to a team eager to capture hockey’s ultimate prize.
After a rollercoaster postseason that left fans electrified and devastated in equal measure, the Oilers entered the offseason with a clear understanding: if they want to take that final leap, the groundwork must begin with changes not just on the ice, but also behind the bench. Edmonton’s front office, long considered deliberate and methodical in their approach, wasted no time in executing a strategic vision for the upcoming NHL season. With General Manager Ken Holland stepping into a transitional advisory role and Jeff Jackson continuing to influence the team’s long-term trajectory, the coaching overhaul arrives at a critical moment of reflection and recalibration.
Paul Coffey’s resignation as assistant coach may not come as a surprise, but it certainly marks the end of a brief yet emotionally resonant tenure. Coffey, one of the most iconic figures in franchise history, was brought on to help stabilize the team midseason during a period of turbulence. His presence, leadership, and sheer knowledge of the game had an immediate effect—not only among the defensemen, but across the entire locker room. His calm demeanor and Hall of Fame resume commanded respect. Now, by stepping back into his advisory role, Coffey provides the Oilers with continuity behind the scenes while allowing the day-to-day bench responsibilities to shift to newer, specialized voices.
Among those new voices is Mark Stuart, who has now solidified his place in Edmonton’s evolving coaching hierarchy. Promoted to First Assistant Coach, Stuart’s re-signing represents a critical investment in a coach whose trajectory continues to rise. Known for his cerebral approach to defensive systems and his communicative leadership style, Stuart earned the trust of both the players and the front office during his initial season. His ability to connect with younger talent while simultaneously guiding veterans through high-stakes moments was a standout aspect of his coaching debut. With more responsibility now on his shoulders, Stuart will be tasked with helping shape the team’s identity and driving the tactical improvements needed to push the Oilers further into contender status.
The addition of Paul McFarland as assistant coach adds further depth to the staff. McFarland brings with him extensive NHL experience, having served in coaching roles with the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs, as well as in the Ontario Hockey League. He’s known for his work with power plays and offensive systems—something Edmonton already boasts in abundance thanks to players like Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman. The hope is that McFarland’s vision can help elevate that offense from elite to downright unstoppable. With McFarland handling offensive strategies, Stuart focusing on defensive structure, and Head Coach Kris Knoblauch overseeing overall execution, the Oilers appear to have constructed a dynamic and complementary coaching trio.
Another compelling hire comes in the form of Peter Aubry, who joins as the new goaltending coach. Goaltending was a topic of intense debate throughout the 2024–25 season, as the Oilers rotated between netminders while seeking stability. Aubry, previously with the Chicago Blackhawks organization, brings a reputation for innovation and strong developmental instincts. His track record in helping young goalies mature while maintaining veteran sharpness is exactly what the Oilers need. With Stuart Skinner entrenched as the presumed starter and prospect Olivier Rodrigue waiting in the wings, Aubry’s influence could be a deciding factor in whether Edmonton finally finds the consistent goaltending that has eluded them in recent playoff runs. His arrival might also mark a new era in goaltending philosophy, where technical discipline is married to mental resilience—a necessary evolution for success in the ever-pressurized postseason landscape.
Supporting the on-ice development, the Oilers have also added Conor Allen as their new skills coach. In the modern NHL, where split-second decisions and skill refinement can determine outcomes, having a specialized coach focused solely on honing individual player abilities is indispensable. Allen, a former professional defenseman with both playing and development credentials, is expected to work closely with young players and veterans alike to elevate their puck-handling, shooting accuracy, and edge control. His presence ensures that the finer points of the game won’t be overlooked, especially in the context of Edmonton’s youth pipeline that continues to supply promising talent eager to earn their place.
Not to be overlooked is the re-signing of Noah Segall as the Oilers’ video coach. In the analytics-heavy world of modern hockey, the role of the video coach has become essential in bridging raw data with in-game decision-making. Segall’s ability to break down film, identify trends, and prepare situational strategies has earned him high praise internally. His continued presence ensures stability in the team’s preparation processes and provides coaches with actionable insights that can swing the momentum of a series.
These collective moves demonstrate a layered and forward-thinking approach from the Oilers’ brass. Rather than conducting a wholesale overhaul, the organization opted for a hybrid strategy: retain the voices that showed promise, add new ones with fresh perspectives, and keep legends like Coffey involved without overextending their roles. It’s a plan rooted in balance, seeking to blend experience with innovation and charisma with structure. The result is a coaching staff that appears capable of addressing past shortcomings while preparing for a grueling and unpredictable campaign ahead.
This shake-up also sends a strong message to the rest of the league. The Oilers aren’t satisfied with making deep playoff runs—they’re focused on winning championships. There’s a sense that last season, for all its highs and lows, revealed just how tantalizingly close Edmonton is to reaching hockey’s summit. And with stars like McDavid and Draisaitl in their primes, the window is wide open but not forever. Coaching matters more than ever in such circumstances. Fine margins, emotional composure, tactical sharpness—all fall under the purview of the bench staff, and Edmonton’s front office has shown a clear willingness to do whatever it takes to refine that area.
Beyond the X’s and O’s, this coaching transformation also reflects a broader cultural reset. The Oilers have often been criticized in the past for relying too heavily on nostalgia and familiar faces. With Coffey moving back to an advisory role and younger, more specialized minds stepping forward, the organization seems to be shaking off the last vestiges of its insular reputation. These moves represent more than just names on a whiteboard—they signify a philosophical pivot toward performance, accountability, and evolution.
As training camp nears and the new staff settles into their roles, the Oilers will aim to establish a rhythm early. Expectations are sky-high in Oil Country, and the pressure to deliver will only intensify with each passing month. But if the front office’s recent decisions are any indication, the franchise is ready to meet that pressure head-on. The coaching staff, now reconfigured and reinvigorated, will be tasked with molding this roster into a championship-caliber unit. They’ll be the ones making adjustments after tough losses, orchestrating line changes in critical moments, and fueling the competitive fire that runs through every championship locker room.
There’s a renewed energy surrounding this team. With Coffey’s dignified exit, Stuart’s rise, McFarland’s tactical mind, Aubry’s fresh goaltending perspective, Allen’s skill-specific focus, and Segall’s meticulous preparation, the Oilers have assembled one of the most well-rounded coaching staffs in recent memory. If this group can click, and the players respond accordingly, the journey to the Stanley Cup may finally yield the result fans have waited decades to see.
So while the names may be changing and the titles shifting, the goal remains the same: win. Not just games, not just series—but the Cup. With these coaching changes now in place, Edmonton is one step closer to making that long-awaited dream a reality.
