Paul Coffey

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Lore & Background

Coffey's time with the Edmonton Oilers began when he was drafted sixth overall in 1980. In the 1983–84 season, he became only the second defenceman in history to score 40 goals, adding 86 assists to finish second in league scoring while helping the team win their first Stanley Cup. His dominance peaked in the 1985 playoffs, where he set records for most goals (12), assists (25), and points (37) by a defenceman in a single postseason on the way to another title. In 1985–86, Coffey won his third Norris Trophy after scoring 48 goals, breaking Bobby Orr's record of 46 set in 1974–75. That same season, he posted 138 points, just one shy of Orr's single-season defenceman record. However, a contract dispute with owner Peter Pocklington ended his era; Coffey held out demanding $800,000 a year but was offered only $500,000. The dispute led Coffey to demand a trade, and he was dealt to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

In Their Own Story

On November 24, 1987, the Oilers traded Coffey, along with Dave Hunter and Wayne Van Dorp, to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Craig Simpson, Dave Hannan, Moe Mantha, and Chris Joseph. Upon arrival, Coffey changed his number from 7 to 77 because Rod Buskas already wore 7. He played four and a half seasons in Pittsburgh, becoming the second defenceman after Denis Potvin to reach 1,000 points on December 22, 1990, doing so in a record-breaking 770 games. In 1990–91, Coffey helped the Penguins win their first Stanley Cup against the Minnesota North Stars in six games. During the 1991–92 season, he surpassed Potvin to become the career leader in goals, assists, and points by a defenceman. Despite this milestone, his large salary made him expendable when the team struggled after 54 games, leading to a trade to the Los Angeles Kings where he reunited with Wayne Gretzky and Jari Kurri.

Reader's Guide

For fans of Paul Coffey, the key to understanding his career lies in his unprecedented offensive production from the blue line. He holds the record for most goals by a defenceman in one season (48 in 1985–86) and is the only defenceman to score 40 goals more than once. He also joined Bobby Orr as the only defencemen to reach 100 points in a season multiple times, achieving it five times compared to Orr's six. Coffey was traded seven times during his career; notably, four of the teams that traded him away (Edmonton, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Detroit) reached the Stanley Cup Finals in that same or subsequent season. His jersey number 7 is retired by the Edmonton Oilers, a tribute to his three Cups with the franchise, while he wore 77 for most of his career and 74 during his final stint with Boston.

Did You Know?

• Coffey is the only defenceman to score 40 goals in a season more than once, achieving it in 1983–84 and 1985–86.
• On December 26, 1984, Coffey became the last defenceman of the 20th century to score four goals in a single game.
• Coffey holds or shares 33 NHL records between the regular season and playoffs.
• He was traded seven times during his career, and only one of those teams (Los Angeles) reached the Stanley Cup Finals in the same or following season.
• In his final season with Boston, Coffey wore number 74 because Ray Bourque had long worn 77.

Career Achievements and Statistical Dominance

Paul Coffey finished his NHL career with 396 goals, 1,135 assists, and 1,531 points. He ranks second all-time among defencemen in all three categories, behind only Ray Bourque, despite playing 203 fewer games than Bourque. Coffey averaged more points per game than Bourque, lagging by only 48 total points. He holds or shares 33 NHL records in the regular season and playoffs. His career includes winning the James Norris Memorial Trophy three times (1984–85, 1985–86, 1994–95) and being voted to eight end-of-season All-Star teams (four first-team, four second-team). He reached the 1,000-point milestone in a record-breaking 770 games for a defenceman. Coffey was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004, his first year of eligibility.

The Edmonton Era and Historic Playoff Runs

Drafted sixth overall by the Edmonton Oilers in 1980, Coffey immediately impacted the team, scoring 89 points in 1981–82 to earn a second-team All-Star nod. In the 1983–84 Stanley Cup-winning season, he became only the second defenceman ever to score 40 goals. His 1985 playoff performance remains historic: 12 goals, 25 assists, and 37 points in one postseason. On December 26, 1984, against the Calgary Flames, he became the last defenceman in the 20th century to score four goals in a single game. Coffey helped Edmonton win their third Cup in 1986–87, but Game 7 of that Final against Philadelphia was his last with the team.

Championships with Pittsburgh and Later Career Moves

After joining the Pittsburgh Penguins in November 1987, Coffey helped them win their first Stanley Cup in 1991. He later passed Denis Potvin to become the all-time leader in defenceman scoring. In 1992–93, after just 10 games with the Los Angeles Kings, he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings. There, under coach Scotty Bowman, Coffey won his third Norris Trophy during the lockout-shortened 1994–95 season, leading his team in scoring for the only time in his career. The Red Wings won the Presidents' Trophy but lost the Stanley Cup Final to New Jersey. In 1996–97, after a falling out with Bowman, he was traded to the Hartford Whalers and then quickly moved to the Philadelphia Flyers. With the Flyers, he reached the 1997 Stanley Cup Final but suffered a concussion from a hit by Darren McCarty in Game 2, ending his series without points.

Legacy, Honors, and Life Beyond the Rink

Born in Weston and raised in Malton, Ontario, Coffey's hometown recognized his contributions in September 2016 when Mississauga renamed Malton Arena to Paul Coffey Arena and Wildwood Park to Paul Coffey Park. In 2017, he was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players. His final seasons saw him play for the Chicago Blackhawks, Carolina Hurricanes, and finally the Boston Bruins in 2000–01. He wore number 74 with Boston as Ray Bourque had worn 77. Coffey was waived by the Bruins after playing only 18 games due to injury and poor performance, ending his final NHL game on December 4, 2000. He turned down two offers to return to the NHL that season. In post-playing life, he faced a three-game suspension in 2014 for a gross misconduct penalty while coaching the Toronto Marlboros midget 'AAA' team.