Edmonton Oilers hire Paul McFarland to revamp power play for Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl
The Edmonton Oilers aren't standing pat this offseason. Looking to get more out of an already loaded offense, they've brought in Paul McFarland as an assistant coach to take over the power play and offensive schemes.
It's a familiar move in the NHL—find a specialist to maximize star power. For Edmonton, it's about giving
Connor McDavid
,
Leon Draisaitl
, and the rest of the core the right structure to break through when it matters. Alongside McFarland, the Oilers have also added Peter Aubry as goalie coach and Conor Allen to work on skills development, signaling a broader commitment to fine-tuning the details.
Can Paul McFarland deliver the power-play breakthrough the Edmonton Oilers need to chase the
Stanley Cup
?
Paul McFarland's career has taken a winding path through the hockey world, giving him mix of junior development experience and NHL bench time. He first got his NHL break with the
Florida Panthers
, working two seasons under head coach Bob Boughner.
That staff also included Jack Capuano and Ben Cooper, offering McFarland a chance to carve out his role running offensive systems at the highest level.
But he was no stranger to coaching before that. McFarland had already led the Kingston Frontenacs in the OHL and worked with Team Canada at the U-17 level and the Ivan Hlinka Memorial, getting an up-close look at the next wave of talent. It was the kind of background that helped him build a reputation for teaching and development.
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After Florida, McFarland joined the Toronto Maple Leafs for a season as an assistant coach. That's where he first worked alongside Dave Hakstol. Their connection would come full circle when Hakstol got the nod to be the inaugural head coach of the Seattle Kraken and brought McFarland with him. Coaching an expansion team is never easy, but it was another NHL chapter for a coach who has never shied away from new challenges.
When he left Seattle, McFarland went back to junior hockey, taking the head coaching role with the Calgary Hitmen in the WHL. Even though it was a short stint, it kept him connected to teaching the game at its developmental core—a trait that Oilers management clearly values.
Now in Edmonton, McFarland will be tasked with getting the most out of a power play unit that already features McDavid, Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Evan Bouchard.
It's not about reinventing the wheel so much as fine-tuning the machine to run when it matters most.
What Paul McFarland's NHL power-play plan means for the Edmonton Oilers' Stanley Cup dreams
By adding Paul McFarland, the Oilers are betting that a fresh voice with a deep background in offense can help unlock even more from one of the NHL's most talented rosters. The hires of Peter Aubry and Conor Allen show the team's serious about building a complete staff, not just for the stars but for every detail. It's another step in Edmonton's pursuit of the Cup—and it'll be worth watching how this new coaching mix shapes the season ahead.
Also Read:
Nathan MacKinnon stuns Cole Harbour hockey camp with surprise visit, igniting big-league dreams
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