Babcock Could Be a Better Hire for the Oilers Than Most Think – The Hockey Writers – Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers coaching search took a dramatic turn on Monday. After firing Kris Knoblauch shortly after the 2025-26 season concluded, it was clear that the Oilers were hoping to land Bruce Cassidy. The Vegas Golden Knights, at least to this point, have prevented them from interviewing the 2019-20 Jack Adams Award winner.

Perhaps sensing that the Golden Knights won’t allow Cassidy to get hired, the Oilers have been looking elsewhere. Names such as Peter Laviolette, Craig Berube, and even Jay Woodcroft had been mentioned, though none of those names created a ton of shock. The same cannot be said about the latest candidate who has been discussed.

For those who may have missed it, it was first reported by TSN’s Darren Dreger that the Oilers are strongly considering hiring Mike Babcock. That report has since been backed up by several others, including Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.

This has gotten a ton of attention on social media, as the public consensus was that Babcock’s days in the NHL were over after the embarrassing debacle that took place with the Columbus Blue Jackets prior to the 2023-24 season. That no longer seems to be the case, as it sounds like it’s only a matter of time before Babcock is announced as the Oilers’ new head coach.

“Mike Babcock is the Edmonton Oilers guy,” Bob Stauffer said on Oilers Now on Monday afternoon. “From ownership, to management, to the players, he is the selection for the Edmonton Oilers hockey club. There were several different parties involved with this. At various times, Mike Babcock has not only spoken to Edmonton Oilers Darryl Katz, but he has met with Darryl Katz. He has met with the Oilers key players. He has met with Harrison Katz. He’s obviously met with Oilers president Jeff Jackson and Oilers general manager Stan Bowman. He is the Oilers choice.”

Fans don’t need to hear the reasons as to why many are viewing this as a bad move. Babcock is a coach many former players have spoken negatively about. That said, there is some reason to believe this could wind up being a great decision for the organization despite the public outcry.

Babcock is a World-Class Coach

It’s easy to forget given all the scrutiny he’s faced since departing the Toronto Maple Leafs organization, but Babcock was once viewed as the best coach in the NHL. It’s the reason why the Maple Leafs gave him an eight-year, $50 million contract.

Babcock was highly praised for his work as the head coach of the Detroit Red Wings. He led the Red Wings to the playoffs in all 10 seasons he served as their coach, including a Stanley Cup championship back in 2008. They also advanced to the Stanley Cup Final in 2009 but fell short to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Thanks to Babcock’s great results in Detroit, he served as Canada’s head coach at both the 2010 and 2014 Olympics, both of which they won gold. Had NHL players not stopped going to the Olympics, he more than likely would have been their head coach in 2018 as well.

Coaches like Babcock often tend to get the best out of their rosters in the early going. From that perspective, you can understand why Oilers management wants to bring him in. This coming season could potentially be the last with Connor McDavid on their roster, making it imperative that they have a very good 2026-27 campaign. Speaking of McDavid, it’s being reported that he and other members of the Oilers leadership group have given their blessing for hiring Babcock, suggesting there won’t be any sort of shock or frustration in the dressing room should he be hired.

Those in the hockey world who do still vouch for Babcock always mention that as far as preparation and systems are concerned, he’s one of the best in the world, if not the best. This is an individual who understands the game at a truly elite level. If he’s been able to reflect and is willing to change some of his antics, this could wind up being the game-changing hire that the Oilers need.

Time Will Tell if Babcock Has Changed

Whether or not Babcock has changed remains to be seen. Most don’t believe he will given how set in his ways he’s often appeared to be, though he’s smart enough to know this is his final chance. If he’s able to treat his players with more respect while continuing to implement the right systems, this could wind up being a move that Oilers fans end up liking, even as crazy as it sounds right now.