Mike Babcock is a lightning rod of attention behind the Oilers’ bench
Mike Babcock has been hired as the head coach of the Edmonton Oilers, bringing his controversial but successful coaching style to a team desperate for a Stanley Cup. The move follows a period of underperformance, with star players Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl personally vetting the hire.
Why it matters
The hiring of a polarizing figure like Babcock represents a high-stakes gamble for the Oilers' front office to maximize the remaining prime years of their superstar roster.
Mike Babcock's hire by the Edmonton Oilers was one of the biggest talking points of the NHL's off-season. He'll lead his team into the 2026-27 season on Tuesday. John Ulan/The Canadian Press
In the Edmonton Oilers’ first exhibition game, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl found themselves yanked off of the ice, 15 seconds into their first shift, after Draisaitl turned over the puck deep in his own end.
It was an immediate reminder that the man behind the bench has clear expectations. The message for the two biggest stars of the team was that details matter. The message to the rest of the team was that they matter for everyone.
There is little doubt that Mike Babcock has been an extraordinarily successful coach over his lengthy career. There is also no doubt that controversy follows him and that his methods and judgment are now routinely questioned.
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