Could there be some adjustments behind the Edmonton Oilers‘ bench in the near future? Some insiders believe that might be the case.

Over the past few days, rumours have started to circulate that the Oilers might consider bringing former assistant coach and Hockey Hall of Famer Paul Coffey back to the coaching staff for the final stretch run of the season.

The speculation began after Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl called out his team, including those behind the bench, after a disappointing loss to the Calgary Flames last Wednesday.

“We’re not consistent enough, and this league’s too hard to just lollygag through games and try to get winning streaks going,” Draisaitl said. “You need everybody. It starts with the coaches, like, everybody.”

A couple of days later, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman mentioned in his 32 Thoughts about the possibility of Coffey returning to a coaching role. Yet, he has his doubts that it might come to fruition.

“[Coffey] brings an edge they could use. I asked about this earlier in the season and was told no. Does everyone involved really want that?”

On Friday, NHL insider Frank Seravalli appeared on Sportsnet’s Big Show, and was also asked about the chances of the Oilers making an adjustment in coaching personnel.

“I think it’s a very strong possibility that they do make a change to their coaching staff and that Paul Coffey is brought back to run the defence. I think that’s something they’re examining and talking about right now. The break is sort of that perfect time to make that change.”

Coffey had served as an assistant coach for the previous two seasons, helping guide the team to back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances. However, the team made a change this past summer, hiring Paul McFarland, while Coffey returned to a role as a special advisor to ownership and hockey operations. Reports later came out that Coffey and the rest of Edmonton’s staff didn’t necessarily get along.

Seravalli pointed out how the defence hasn’t quite been as consistent as when the five-time Stanley Cup champion was on the staff.

“This defence just hasn’t been the same as it was the last couple of years when Coffey was on the bench. … That’s been the biggest mess of this team.”

At the time of the Olympic break, the Oilers (28-22-8) are second in the Pacific Division, four points back of the Vegas Golden Knights for first place. Despite the team’s resurgence over the past couple of months, Edmonton ranks 28th in goals against (194) in the NHL.