Paul Coffey’s future in Edmonton leaked amidst questions on investigation

Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal believes the Oilers are going to bring back Paul Coffey on assistant coach duties for the 2024-25 season. The Hall of Famer joined the team as a defense coach last November and is expected to be back next year. Matheson anticipates that Coffey " will likely give it another whirl after talking things over with CEO Jeff Jackson this week.”

Initial expectations were that his stint would be temporary for Coffey behind the Oilers’ bench, however, signs point to a return, and that, despite huge controversy during the playoffs.

As some of you may remember, in Game 2 of the series against the Vancouver Canucks, Coffey allegedly did a racist hand gesture to a fan who wore a turban. He reportedly turned toward the fan, pantomimed putting a turban on his own head and then sarcastically said, ‘Nice hat!’

It was reported a few days after the alleged altercation that the NHL was investigating the incident, though nothing has been heard on what has happened with that.

When the incident in Vancouver was reported back in May, some fans have spoken about Coffey’s past questionable behaviour and past use of racial gestures. Back in 2014, he received a game misconduct for using “discriminatory slur” and ended up being suspended for three games.

While nothing has been said about the current investigation, chatter indicates that Coffey will return to the coaching staff, along with Kris Knoblauch, Glen Gulutzan and Mark Stuart, maintaining the chemistry behind the bench in Edmonton.

Possibly for another run at the Stanley Cup. I guess we will have to see what new GM Stan Bowman has to say about this...