After the Oilers suffered the worst home loss in franchise history last night, Oilers insider David Staples believes Paul Coffey must return behind the team's bench. Just when it seemed like the Edmonton Oilers couldn't possibly go lower than in <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/edmonton-oilers/nhl-insider-rips-oilers-on-live-tv-for-making-excuses-after-embarrassing-loss-to-avalanche' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>their 9-1 thrashing against the Colorado Avalanche</a>, well, you guessed it, they did. Nothing was clicking for Edmonton, not goalie play, not defense, or offense. The Avs accounted for 20 quality opportunities compared to 11 for Edmonton and 13 five-alarm scoring chances to four. Oilers insider David Staples reinforced an old notion after last night's romp. He suggested that Paul Coffey should <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/edmonton-oilers/a-familiar-face-could-be-the-key-to-saving-the-edmonton-oilers-season-insider-hints' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>return to manage Edmonton's defence</a>. One need not say more regarding what transpired with Coffey's system last year. I posted this last Friday and I think it even more today: the Oilers should bring back Paul Coffey to coach Edmonton's defence. - David Staples <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/TheCultofHockey/status/1987413675469381749'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> He replaced David Manson in November 2023. Following Coffey's system implementation, almost every defenceman in Edmonton's roster made drastic improvements. They improved transition games, receded into puck-keeping mode, increased high-quality scoring chances, and minimized opponents' scoring opportunities. <h3>All of the Oilers' defensemen struggling this season were doing much better under Paul Coffey's coaching</h3> Players like Evan Bouchard, Brett Kulak, Mattias Ekholm, and Darnell Nurse performed well under Coffey's tutoring. The difference in these players' play since Coffey's departure has been quite noticeable, especially in Bouchard and Ekholm's cases. These players appear more confident in their play. Defensemen under Coffey seem more composed and play well under pressure, which are traits that are absent in today's team. Without Coffey's influence in team play, today's team seems quite tentative with the puck. Edmonton needs to improve its defensive play, or calls for a shake-up will become louder. Rather than wondering if Edmonton needs another player to turn around its season, perhaps Coffey will prove to be its solution once more.