NHL insider reveals the hidden factor that has led to the Edmonton Oilers horrendous start to the year
The Edmonton Oilers are off to a poor start in 2025/26, and now Frank Seravalli has linked those struggles to the departure of two different coaches.
Over the past two seasons, the Edmonton Oilers have been on the doorstep of a Stanley Cup, and they've made it that far despite slow starts to both the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons.
However, their 9-8-4 start to this year feels completely different to those, and with the team struggling beyond their top two stars, there's plenty to worry about right now in Edmonton.
Frank Seravalli notes the departure of two coaches could be behind the Oilers struggles
There have been many reasons cited and many people blamed for the slow start, but according to NHL Insider Frank Seravalli, it's the departure of Glen Gulutzan and the role change of Paul Coffey that are responsible for the slow start.
It's on both ends of this, right? Glen Gulutzan with the forwards, he leaves to become the head coach of the Dallas Stars. And on the backend, they lose Paul Coffey, who is still an advisor to the team, but is no longer an assistant coach.
I think he had butted heads at various points in time with some other members of the coaching staff, because of the hard edge that he has. But it's also part of what made this Oiler defence a lot more formidable. He kept everyone on their toes because he's someone that has that intensity to him
It's been way too laissez-faire for the Oilers so far to start this season. Their attention to detail, their effort, their consistency, all those things. Not a perfect situation with Paul Coffey, but you can't argue with the results, because the Oilers defended much, much better.
I think he had butted heads at various points in time with some other members of the coaching staff, because of the hard edge that he has. But it's also part of what made this Oiler defence a lot more formidable. He kept everyone on their toes because he's someone that has that intensity to him
It's been way too laissez-faire for the Oilers so far to start this season. Their attention to detail, their effort, their consistency, all those things. Not a perfect situation with Paul Coffey, but you can't argue with the results, because the Oilers defended much, much better.
On top of that, the team also moved out several key veterans in Corey Perry, Evander Kane and Viktor Arvidsson in exchange for two rookies and a former Flame in Andrew Mangiapane, meaning these changes haven't been easy to adjust too.
We've seen this team bounce back in January before and get rolling at the most important time of year, but with Seravalli's comments on the coaching changes, could this be the year that they flounder all season long?
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 19 | 230 ANSWERS NHL insider reveals the hidden factor that has led to the Edmonton Oilers horrendous start to the year Will the Oilers get back to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2025/26? | ||
| Yes | 39 | 17 % |
| No | 191 | 83 % |
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