After losing to the Florida Panthers in consecutive Stanley Cup Finals, Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers are determined to bounce back and get the job done in the 2025-26 NHL season. Recently, the team announced coaching staff moves, including the hiring of a former Panthers assistant who also worked with Auston Matthews’ Maple Leafs.
On Monday, the Oilers confirmed Paul McFarland, Peter Aubry, and Conor Allen will be joining head coach Kris Knoblauch’s staff for the upcoming NHL campaign. While all three represent meaningful additions in Alberta, McFarland’s background makes him a particularly intriguing signing.
The 39-year-old, who comes from helming the Calgary Hitmen in the WHL last season, is returning to the NHL after a three-year stint with the Seattle Kraken from 2021 to 2024. But his previous experiences look even more interesting.
McFarland’s experience in Florida and Toronto before Edmonton job
McFarland’s first coaching job in the NHL came with none other than the Panthers, back when the Cats were still a work in progress and far from the dominant dynasty they are today.
Florida Panthers head coach Bob Boughner (R) talks to assistant coach Paul McFarland during third period action against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the BB&T Center on January 18, 2019 in Sunrise, Florida.
In 2017, he arrived in Sunrise alongside then newly hired head coach Bob Boughner. An impressive resurgence in the second half of the season saw the Panthers fall just short of a playoff berth, as their 96 points weren’t enough to make the postseason.
see also
Connor McDavid’s Oilers reportedly know who to part ways with from goaltending tandem of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard
Since the team enjoyed a 15-point improvement from the previous year, the front office kept the same coaching staff for 2018-19. However, Boughner and McFarland couldn’t build on their first year’s success, with the Panthers recording just 86 points in their second season together.
It didn’t take McFarland long to find a new job though, with the Maple Leafs hiring him as an assistant coach in 2019, the year Matthews was named an alternate captain in Toronto.
Paul McFarland and Head Coach Mike Babcock of the Toronto Maple Leafs look on from the bench prior to an NHL game against the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Arena on October 2, 2019 in Toronto, Canada.
Even though head coach Mike Babcock was replaced by Sheldon Keefe early in the season, the Maple Leafs kept McFarland―but not for too long. Following the Eastern Conference qualifying round loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, he stepped away from the organization.
The mission of reviving the Oilers’ power-play
Now, McFarland is joining the Oilers hoping to help Knoblauch and McDavid revitalize a power-play unit that took a few steps back last season after leading the NHL in previous years.
He will be filling in the hole left by Glen Gulutzan, who was the Oilers’ power play specialist before taking charge of the Dallas Stars this offseason. During a virtual media conference call, Knoblauch looked excited about McFarland’s arrival in Edmonton.
see also
After quiet season with Connor McDavid’s Oilers, Jeff Skinner sends clear message on joining Sharks
“He’s been running an NHL power play for many years, started in Florida, Toronto, and then Seattle,” Knoblauch said, via Sportsnet. “Power-play success is determined a lot with the personnel that you have.
SurveyWill the Oilers get over the hump in 2026?
Will the Oilers get over the hump in 2026?
ALREADY VOTED 0 PEOPLE
“He’s done a heck of a job on getting the most out of the personalities he’s had, but also very strong is the success that he had with those good power plays in Toronto and Florida. He’ll be able to bring that over and be able to have a good strong working relationship with the players that we have on our team right now.”
