The Oilers have added Paul McFarland (assistant), Peter Aubry (goaltending) & Conor Allen (skills) to their coaching staff.
As the Edmonton Oilers continue to evolve and strengthen their roster heading into the 2023-2024 season, the organization has made a series of key additions to its coaching staff, bringing in experienced and skilled individuals to help elevate the team’s performance. The hires of Paul McFarland as assistant coach, Peter Aubry as goaltending coach, and Conor Allen as skills development coach are significant moves that reflect the Oilers’ ambition to improve both individual player development and team performance.
These new hires come at a crucial time for the Oilers, as they aim to build on their recent successes, including a deep playoff run, while addressing areas of improvement. McFarland, Aubry, and Allen bring a wealth of expertise and experience that will not only enhance the team’s tactical approach but also create a more tailored development strategy for players at all levels.
One of the most notable additions to the Oilers’ coaching staff is Paul McFarland, who joins the team as an assistant coach. Known for his offensive acumen and ability to generate scoring chances, McFarland has a history of working with high-powered offenses, and his track record is one that has caught the attention of Edmonton’s management.
McFarland’s coaching career began in junior hockey, where he made a name for himself as a skilled offensive strategist. He spent several years as head coach of the Kingston Frontenacs in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), helping develop several young stars along the way. His time in Kingston was highlighted by a focus on the development of individual players, particularly forwards, and it was here that McFarland’s reputation as an offensive-minded coach began to solidify.
Before joining the Oilers, McFarland spent time as an assistant coach with the Florida Panthers in the NHL, where he worked closely with the team’s forwards and power play. McFarland’s work with Florida’s offensive group paid immediate dividends, as the Panthers enjoyed a significant improvement in their overall scoring and power play efficiency during his tenure. His ability to break down the offensive game and find creative ways to generate offense was a key part of the team’s offensive renaissance.
Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft is known for his tactical approach, and adding McFarland to the staff further bolsters that focus. McFarland’s offensive philosophy and understanding of systems will complement the high-scoring talents of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and the rest of the Oilers’ forward group. This collaboration is expected to take Edmonton’s offensive game to the next level, making the team even more dynamic and difficult to defend against.
One area where McFarland is expected to make a significant impact is with the power play. The Oilers’ power play has been one of the best in the league in recent years, but McFarland’s expertise could help refine the team’s strategy and push it even further toward excellence. With McDavid and Draisaitl as the focal points, McFarland will have the opportunity to implement creative schemes that maximize their skills while also giving secondary players more opportunities to contribute.
Additionally, McFarland’s work with forwards extends beyond just systems and strategy. His attention to player development will be essential for the Oilers’ younger forwards, such as Kailer Yamamoto, Dylan Holloway, and Ryan McLeod, helping them refine their skills and increase their offensive output. The ability to foster the growth of young players will be crucial for maintaining long-term success, and McFarland is the ideal coach to facilitate that.
Another critical hire for the Oilers is Peter Aubry, who has been brought in as the team’s new goaltending coach. Aubry comes to Edmonton with an impressive background and a proven ability to develop netminders at the professional level.
Aubry’s coaching career began in junior hockey, where he worked with the Brampton Battalion before moving on to the Toronto Marlies in the AHL. His time with the Marlies allowed him to work with a variety of goaltenders, helping them refine their techniques and prepare for the NHL level. Aubry’s expertise was especially helpful in helping young goaltenders such as Joseph Woll and Ian Scott improve their fundamentals and take their games to the next level.
What makes Aubry particularly appealing to the Oilers is his track record working with established NHL goaltenders. He most recently served as the goaltending coach for the San Jose Sharks, where he worked closely with veteran goaltenders like James Reimer and Kaapo Kahkonen. His ability to work with both veteran and young goaltenders makes him an excellent fit for Edmonton, where Jack Campbell is expected to lead the crease, but the Oilers are also looking for strong performances from Stuart Skinner as a backup option.
Aubry’s style is grounded in strong fundamentals, such as positioning, puck tracking, and rebound control. These areas are particularly important in the modern game, where goaltenders need to read plays quickly and execute under pressure. His emphasis on technical development will be critical in helping Campbell rebound from a down season in 2022-2023 and return to the form that made him one of the league’s most reliable goaltenders during his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
While working with Skinner, who had a breakout season in 2022-2023, Aubry will focus on helping him develop the consistency and mental toughness required to be a top-tier NHL goaltender. Skinner’s performance last season showed that he has the potential to be a key contributor for the Oilers in the postseason, but with Aubry’s guidance, the young netminder could see further growth in his game and continue to build on his success.
Additionally, Aubry’s expertise could have a ripple effect on the Oilers’ defensemen, helping them better understand what goaltenders need in terms of coverage and communication. A strong relationship between the goaltenders and their defenders is essential for success, and Aubry will play a key role in facilitating that synergy.
Finally, the Oilers have added Conor Allen to their coaching staff as a skills development coach. Allen brings a unique blend of coaching experience and player development expertise, having worked at both the professional and junior levels.
Allen’s primary focus will be on developing individual skills for the Oilers’ players. Whether it’s refining a player’s skating, shooting, puck-handling, or defensive positioning, Allen’s role will be to help players improve on the finer details of their game. In particular, his work with younger players will be crucial for fostering growth in the Oilers’ rising stars, including Holloway, McLeod, and Tyler Benson.
Before joining the Oilers, Allen worked with the Boston Bruins as a development coach, where he focused on refining the skills of both young and veteran players. His ability to break down a player’s mechanics and provide tailored guidance has earned him a strong reputation in the development community. Allen’s skills-oriented approach fits perfectly with Edmonton’s goal of maximizing the potential of their roster, both in terms of individual performance and overall team success.
With the Oilers’ wealth of offensive talent, Allen’s focus on skills development could be the key to unlocking even greater offensive output from players like McDavid, Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman. Small improvements in skating, shooting accuracy, and puck movement could make all the difference for a team that already possesses one of the most dynamic offenses in the league. Allen will work closely with the players on these finer points to ensure that every skill is honed to perfection.
Together, McFarland, Aubry, and Allen bring a unified vision for the future of the Edmonton Oilers. The combined expertise and experience of these three coaches will help guide the team through the next chapter of their growth, with a particular focus on player development, systematic improvement, and tactical execution.
With the Oilers now possessing a balanced coaching staff that emphasizes both individual development and team performance, the team is well-positioned to address areas of concern from previous seasons while continuing to harness their immense offensive firepower. The hope is that these new hires will help fine-tune both the defensive and offensive systems, providing Edmonton with a more complete and balanced approach to competing at the highest level.
For fans of the Oilers, the additions of McFarland, Aubry, and Allen signal a commitment to building a more cohesive and well-rounded team. Whether it’s boosting the power play, strengthening goaltending, or refining individual skills, these new hires are a clear sign that the Oilers are serious about taking the next step toward Stanley Cup contention.
As the 2023-2024 season unfolds, the Oilers’ coaching staff will be put to the test. But with these new additions, Edmonton is building a stronger foundation for sustained success in the years to come.
