What Happened
Sportsnet reports that roughly a month into Mike Babcock's tenure as Edmonton Oilers head coach, his blunt, day-by-day style has started to yield positive results. According to the outlet, Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman were involved in bringing Babcock out of retirement. Sportsnet also recounted an exchange in which Babcock told Draisaitl he disliked his line changes after reviewing summer video, an example of the direct feedback the team expected when it hired him.
Key Details
- Babcock was hired in the 2026 offseason after a period out of coaching, according to Sportsnet.
- McDavid, Draisaitl and Hyman helped drive the hiring, per Sportsnet.
- Babcock told Draisaitl he hated his line changes after watching summer video.
- Draisaitl has appeared in 856 career NHL games across about 12 seasons.
- Sportsnet says Babcock's assessments are blunt and usually correct on hockey matters.
What It Means
Edmonton's decision to hand Babcock a direct role reflects a shift in how the club manages its star core. Sportsnet frames the previous decade as one in which the top players held significant sway without a Stanley Cup to show for it. Babcock's willingness to critique players like Draisaitl openly suggests the organization wants more accountability, though the source offers no record or statistics to measure results beyond general impressions.