Coach Paul Coffey has a strict message for the Oilers

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Ryan Hall
December 16, 2023 (5:44 PM)

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It's been several weeks since Oilers management shook the organization to it's core when they decided to fire Jay Woodcroft and Dave Manson from the coaching staff.

With the Oilers in turmoil, general manager Ken Holland brought in rookie head coach Kris Knoblauch and Oilers legendary defenseman Paul Coffey as an assistant.

Since their hiring, the team has responded admirably and have restored themselves and now appear confident and dangerous on the ice. One area of improvement is their defence core.

Coffey, an NHL Hall of Fame defenseman who has a keen mind towards how to play the game of hockey has been instrumental in changing the Oilers ways of defending the puck.

During an interview with DNBsports he was asked about his handling of the players, and he had a simple message.

Coffey also continues to preach the idea of plays and what he expects. It seems that he is not afraid for finding someone else if the players they have do not come through.

With the focus strictly on improving the defence and the way they see the game this is the kind of coaching the team needs as they continued to right the ship.

The Oilers have now started their steady climb through the standings and are now 25th overall in the league with a 13-13-1 record for 27 points. The Oilers are now 3 points out of the second wild card with two games in hand.

It appears they are buying in and doing what needs to be done to get back on track.