What Could Go Wrong for the Oilers This Season?
When the Edmonton Oilers hired Mike Babcock, there were two very different reactions. Some people looked at it and saw experience. They saw a coach who has won, managed pressure, and coached some of the biggest names in hockey. Others saw something very different. They saw a risk.
And that might be the most interesting part of the Oilers’ offseason. The biggest question in Edmonton might not be about Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, or whether this team has enough talent. We already know they do. The question is whether the new approach behind the bench will help this group take the final step.
One hockey analyst isn’t convinced the Oilers made the right moves.
Dom Luszczyszyn of The Athletic was not convinced Edmonton had one of the better offseasons in the NHL. He ranked the Oilers 25th out of 32 teams in terms of improvement and was particularly skeptical about the Babcock hire. That is understandable.
Babcock has always been a complicated figure in hockey. He has a reputation as a demanding coach who pushes players hard and expects a lot from them. Some players respond to that. Some do not. But here is the interesting part. The Oilers’ leadership group apparently wanted exactly that.
McDavid, Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, and others have talked about the need for accountability. They believe this team needs to be pushed. They believe there are areas where they can be better. So the question is not simply: “Is Mike Babcock the right coach?”
Related: The Oilers’ Signed Colton Dach: How Contenders Are Built?
The bigger question is: Is this the right team for Mike Babcock?
That is a very different discussion. Because Edmonton is not a young team searching for an identity. This is a veteran group that has been to the Stanley Cup Final and knows how close it came. Sometimes teams do not need more talent. Sometimes they need a different voice.
The roster changes are also interesting. Replacing Darnell Nurse with Ryan Shea changes the look of the defence, and Frederik Andersen, if healthy, gives the Oilers another option in goal. But there are still questions. The biggest one may be depth scoring. Edmonton lost Jack Roslovic, who was inconsistent but still provided offence. The Oilers could use another middle-six forward who can contribute when the top players are facing the toughest matchups.
Could the Oilers’ season be decided on secondary scoring?
The Oilers have the stars. They have the experience. They have the motivation. Now they are betting that a demanding coach can help turn all of that into consistency. That is the gamble.
Mike Babcock has always believed teams become better when players are pushed. The Oilers are hoping he is right. Because when you have McDavid and Draisaitl, the window is not about getting more opportunities. It is about making the most of the ones you already have.