As the Edmonton Oilers head into the Olympic break, speculation swirls around potential changes to the coaching staff following a series of disappointing performances. While fans and some media outlets have clamored for the return of a familiar face, an Oilers insider suggests that bringing back former assistant coach Paul Coffey this season is unlikely.

The Oilers' struggles have been magnified by recent losses, prompting harsh criticism from star player Leon Draisaitl, who stated that the blame "starts with the coaches". This, coupled with the team's defensive woes and underperforming penalty kill, has intensified the pressure on head coach Kris Knoblauch and his staff. Some observers have pointed out that the team went from four coaches behind the bench last season to three this year, adding fuel to the fire.

Bob Stauffer of Oilers Now has mentioned Coffey by name, alluding to his "unique personality.". Stauffer also mentioned current assistant Mark Stuart, who is in charge of the penalty kill and defense, both of which have struggled this season.

Despite the external noise, an insider suggests that a major shakeup involving Coffey's return is not in the cards for now. While the organization may consider tweaks to bolster the coaching staff, a full-scale reevaluation is improbable during the season. Knoblauch recently signed a new extension and has guided the team to two Stanley Cup Final appearances in the past two seasons.

Instead of bringing back Coffey, there is a possibility of adding a coaching reinforcement or veteran coach. Names like Peter DeBoer and Misha Donskov have been mentioned as potential candidates. Jesse Courville-Lynch of The Hockey Writers has suggested that Misha Donskov could be a perfect replacement.

The Oilers' General Manager, Stan Bowman, has already made significant changes to the team's goaltending and forward lines. Focusing on the defense seems like the next logical step. The team will have three weeks during the Olympic break to sort things out and hopefully turn their season around.

The insider's insights suggest a more measured approach, emphasizing the need for Knoblauch to address the team's shortcomings and find solutions within the existing framework. This perspective suggests that while changes may be necessary, a dramatic overhaul involving a former coach is not the likely path forward for the Oilers this season.