Can Evan Bouchard Continue to Grow Without Paul Coffey on the Oilers Bench? – The Hockey Writers – Edmonton Oilers

Last season, the Edmonton Oilers’ defence didn’t just play solid hockey—it helped drive the offence. From Evan Bouchard’s offensive game to steady production from veterans like Darnell Nurse and Mattias Ekholm, the blue line was firing on all cylinders.

But this fall, there’s one significant change: Paul Coffey isn’t behind the bench anymore. He’s still part of the organization, but he’s moved upstairs into an advisory role. No more hands-on coaching. No more in-game chats, which raises a big question heading into 2025–26.

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Can their defence—and Bouchard especially—keep pushing the pace without Coffey’s voice in their ear?

What Paul Coffey Actually Changed for the Oilers

When Coffey joined the coaching staff partway through the 2023–24 season, many wondered how he would do. Sure, he’s a Hall of Famer, but he hadn’t coached at this level. He didn’t come in with a detailed playbook.

Turns out, he didn’t need one. Coffey focused less on structure and more on instinct—giving his defensemen permission to make plays, not just survive shifts. He encouraged them to jump into the rush, carry the puck with confidence, and trust their skill. It worked.

Here’s the proof: Bouchard broke out as one of the most productive blueliners in the league. Ekholm and Nurse played freer, more aggressive hockey. Even depth players like Brett Kulak and Ty Emberson looked sharper and more assertive.

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Coffey even made small cultural changes—it’s been noted that he had all his defensemen sit together in the dressing room to boost communication: subtle move, impactful leadership. By the end of the season, the Oilers’ defence was one of the most active and dangerous groups in the NHL. It was no coincidence. It had a lot to do with Coffey’s coaching.

Bouchard’s Numbers with the Oilers Tell the Story

Here are some tangible results: Bouchard in 2024–25 put up 14 goals, 53 assists—67 points (coming off an…