Connor McDavid won the Ted Lindsay Award, his fifth, as it was announced on the weekend. I was mildly shocked, because voter fatigue feels like a thing and 97 has been hammering the competition senseless in the hardware department for over a decade. I’m glad for him, being recognized by the players you’re up against doesn’t happen this often historically (99, 97) so it is a profound recognition of his greatness. Please read this.
I wrote on X yesterday “When Connor McDavid arrived, I wrote “enjoy him because we’ll get used to it and it won’t be as special anymore.” Over 10 years later, everyone is still in awe. I think that’s the most amazing thing about him. He keeps finding ways to shock and delight.” The ability to shock the eye and delight the brain for this long is truly unique in my experience.
I don’t know what the future holds, but he’s a champion. I know he’ll win Stanley, suspect more than one, but I don’t know if it is going to be here. We are seeing a change in NHL culture now, the players are choosing their destinations and creating super teams ala the NBA. We saw it last year with Mitch Marner, and Dylan Larkin is headed somewhere strong over the next few months. I don’t know how the league might stop it, but the 2024 and 2025 Stanley Cup Final could be the last for some time in Edmonton. That’s a reality based on the powerhouse talent that is housed in Vegas, Sunrise and (Increasingly) downtown St. Paul.
Jim Matheson mentioned Craig MacTavish as a possible coach for a year in Edmonton if the organization has to wait for Bruce Cassidy. I’ve seen several intelligent young people taking shots at Matheson, and that’s a shame. I know we live in a world that doesn’t value being ‘politically correct’ but it seems to me we’ve shed a lot of kindness in order to impress strangers on the internet. Doesn’t seem like it’s worth it.
Speaking of MacTavish, I wrote about his being an option for the Oilers recently. I think it has merit. Give him full lash at the five-on-five and penalty kill, don’t let him put Mike-York-with-a-broken-hand or Toby Petersen on the power play.
On the Lowdown today, Jason Gregor will be our feature guest and we’ll chat Elks win, Oilers news, SC and NBA finals and the Jays have a hot-hitting catcher. Noon to 2pm, Sports 1440 and You Tube.
Why Edmonton Oilers’ Mattias Ekholm remains an exceptional value player
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7340052/2026/06/08/edmonton-oilers-mattias-ekholm-stats/
This past season:
1) 82 games played
2) 41 points
3) 5th among all dmen in 5 on 5 points
4) 36% time on ice versus elites
5) 56% goal share and expected goal share
Yes, Bouchard floats all boats, however, even though we can see him slowing down and being more mistake prone, beside Bouch he had another legit top pairing season.
I didn’t see the need to sign him a year in advance coming off the groin/core injury but $4MM is a value contract today and likely remains one as he gets faded a bit over its term.
A couple of years ago I mentioned on several occasions to resign Ekholm to another 2 or 3 year deal as I jokingly said he was a true Viking that loved Edmonton. Ekholm will be considered a deal as he very rarely gets hurt but he’s physical enough to make forwards think twice. Ekholm is good at stopping the cycle as well. Some D just age slowly Chelios etc. Ekholm is also good at sneaking in and getting a clear path lane for a A chance every once in a while. If only Ekholm would have scored on that blistering shot that just missed by a few inches that ended up going the other way for a Panthers OT goal in game 2. I believe Ekholm is a rock and is our leader on the back-end just as Lee Fogolin set the tone 45 years ago.
Dustin Nielson
@nielsonTSN1260
Looks like the plan between the pipes for the Oilers will be Jarry and Cossa…..does that get the job done?
Lots of action on X last night with several reports from some good sources and some I have no clue about. Trades range ( according to these sources) from Cossa for this years 2nd and next years Bostons 5th to a somewhat Bigger move including Nurse ( money retained) and Howard and a pick. No clue what the return was is or if that was insinuating that was for Cossa, which would be ridiculous.
With the Babcock news this might be a crazy few weeks.
Also on X the 2 mutts are reporting they have talked with a player from the Oilers regarding the hiring of Babcock. The player isnt happy and says he will talk with his agent in regards to his options. It has been mentioned also on X and by a few heads already, that the hiring of Babcock could affect attracting UFA’s to Edmonton. So this could also become a bit of a shitshow in that regards if true.
Hard to imagine that it’s a bigger trade with Nurse but Cossa for a 2nd and a 5th, I’m all over that. I would not do Howard and a pick – non-established goalies do not have high trade value – Askarov really being the only one.
Cossa requires waivers, if Detroit does not plan on rostering him, they need to move him – like the Nucks and Podz.
Yeah, I saw that Two Mutts thing last night too.
Seems like this could really blow up.
We are really trying to hire Mike f-wording Babcock. Full court press across the local and national media.
And now we are apparently trading at least a second to Detroit for Cossa, the ex-Oil Kings goalie. The guy who is the fourth goalie in an organization whose captain is in the process of managing his way out.
It’s hard to be a fan. I’m pretty sure owner guy is the problem. But it’s just ugly.
Disturbing day.
A high pedigree goalie with 1A upside that is developed and looks to be NHL ready.
If this team commits to a structured system and manages the puck better (which they have to or no goalie is going to save them) then I think any combo of Jarry, Skinner, Cossa, whoever will be just fine and Cossa will have a chance to star.
Its easy to be a fan for me when they acquire a legit upside player like Cossa.
Wow. Babcock was trial ballooned weeks ago, so I guess we shouldn’t be that surprised. But I am still surprised and really do not like this turn.
The fact they are willing to take the PR hit this will cause, as well as the ongoing risk of another Babcock scandal/blowup is wild. This is a completely different level of noise and risk than hiring Bowman. I don’t see the reward being close to worth the risk.
All that said, I am very curious about the role played here by the Oilers player leadership. Sounds like they have been involved to some degree and are apparently “100% onboard”. Did they help drive the decision or just give their blessing at the end? I’m thinking it is closer to the former than the later based on all the verbal in and around them the past 6 months and the candidate being as controversial as Babcock.
In which case, my reaction becomes a bit more of “you make your bed, lie in it”. If it blows up, the players in this case would own at least some of it. Hyman came up under Babcock I believe. What does it mean that he is apparently onboard?
Does the leadership feel they are capable of keeping Babcock and his antics in check while benefiting from his coaching ability? Or do they not really care about the antics if they think he can get results? Seems like competely unnessary baggage and they should just shop down a different ailse all together.
In the end, this iteration of the Oilers is hitched to McDavid and Draisaitl (and their inner circle). Which is great. Increasingly though, it seems part of that ride is those players being involved in key decision making, directly or indirectly. I am not sure if that should be unexpected nowadays, especially given their stature. But it does present its own challenges, and I think sometimes hinders their ultimate goal.
Alternatively, if this is just driven mostly by ownership wanting another “name” with past accolades, then extra yikes. I just have a hard time believing ownership would push for such a risky and alienating move without full support from McDavid and Draisaitl… which if true starts to beg some other questions.
Lost in the Babcock chaos, quite a bit of smoke out there re: Cossa to Edmonton close to being done.
I’ve seen quite a bit of “A second plus something” and am a bit terrified of the something
Last and only time Babcock won a cup – 2008.
Last time he made it past the first round playoffs – 2013.
Last time he coached in the NHL – 2020.
All he had to do to make it through training camp to coach in the NHL – shut up, do nothing and secure his “legacy”.
🥇
exactly how is he the best hire.. lolololol
Id hire Shayne Corson before Mike Babcock, is Robyn Regehr not available?
I still love the thumbs up/down feature.
All the turds float to the top… and sometimes they’re mine!
Haven’t posted here in forever. I was pretty turned off as a fan when Bowman was hired based on his history. The Babcock hire might be the final straw for me as a fan. Hiring someone of this kind of character based on success last achieved 20 years ago… just forget it. Trade 97 and just move on. That’s a wrap.
Everyone assumes Babcock is being talked to as a coaching hire. He might be VP or consulting hire, and a safety net if no other suitable coach is signed at best. One can hope.
Possible misdirection to get Vegas to release Cassidy to be interviewed by other teams, with the Kings and Oilers supposedly out of the race… they would assume he is going outside of the division in that case. Excuse me while I straighten my tinfoil hat. It would be a suitable FU trick to play on the kniggits.
Leak that the Oilers are ready to announcean addition to thier coaching room, complete with Babcock misdirection and evasion. Call a press conference and reschedule last minute due to travel difficulties/personal commitments for the person involved. Rechedule until after the SCF completes, and see if Vegas bites and releases Cassidy to be interviewed. Either way, continue with other candidates if necessary in the background quiet like just in case and announce Babcock as a travelling coach development role, primarily with the minor league teams… backchannel communication with Cassidy to get him signed posthaste after Vegas releases him to be interviewed for other openings. Machiavellan to be sure, but the Kniggets deserve to get a taste of their own medicine… just to clarify my thinking.
I believe Stauffer said it was a coaching hire. It could be a misdirection but I kind of doubt it.
I think VGK are releasing Cassidy post-SCF either way OR they are waiting to settle their own coaching situation. I very much doubt the Oilers actually play into their situation.
Stauffer has always been exactly what you saw today. From day one.
Not true.
Total Sports Stauffer took a much different tone than the one who is employed by the OEG.
Tree planting Bob Stuaffer was 60lbs lighter and had three fewer chins.
Clearly the man has grown over the years, in different directions.
Agreed. Sadly, today he was Baghdad Bob.
I might have waited until after free agency started to make that coach call lol.
No trade for Marner?
Man imagine being an Oiler media head who carried all that Cassidy water the last two months.
Probably feel the same level of duped as Stan and Action Jackson after their Cassidy plan blew up in their faces because they leaked it and had no control over how the process played out.
Or maybe the media just got played and it was Babcock the whole time? Another guy who hangs in Southern Ontario… same as the Gruesome Twosome.
Now a screamers screamer is in charge.
Paul plays 4D chess baby, 4D chess.
A constant in every weird decision the last three years is Paul Coffey.
Get rid of him and we can begin to heal. Keep him around and he’ll undermine every single other person in the org.
Agreed. Complete noodle. Off with his head.
The Oilers organization is an absolute disaster from top to bottom. Always blaming the wrong people for their failures and then replacing them with way worse options. The decline will continue next season and McDavid and and Draisaitl will be as good as gone! At the very least get ready for another Decade of Darkness.
Why are trolls always so lazy? Like, the Oilers have the second-most playoff wins in the last 5 years. What a severe decline from………?
Every reclamation project the Oilers have committed to, had taken steps to better themselves already.
I was highly skeptical of Bowman until I hear about his work and relationship with Mr Beach.
Babcock better have a good story from the past years. A lot of years actually. Cliche but true, it’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks.
In a way, I hope Connor and Leon ask out in the hour after Babcock’s introduction.
Why would you hope for this for your team???
This organization has done some dumb things, but Babcock is my line in the sand.
So stop being a fan instead of hoping they implode.
Who said anything about imploding?
Think of the haul of defensively responsible checkers Oilers could get for McDrai! Really make it into a Babcock style team.
Dont need to stifle offence if you have no offence at all.
Typical Oiler fan, “if they don’t win my way I’m not happy.”
Yes, Bowman is a real hero🤣
Confirmed: There is still something in the water
Klima’s Lid
@klimaslid
I’m hearing Cossa done.
To the Oilers reportedly a second round pick+ involved.
Larkin, with a full NMC, demands a trade and provides a list of acceptable teams: Vegas, Wild and Panthers.
It appears the Wings have traded Cossa to the Oilers perhaps in anticipation of Wallstedt heading to Detroit in a Larkin trade.
You think the Wild is going to trade their goalie that play 10 out of their 11 playoff games in favour of keeping the guy who had worse stats and is having hip surgery?
Do you think Larkin is going to be free?
Another thoughtful comment from you. Just stick to reposting TSN and random tweets.
Acting like it’s the NBA
WAIT A MINUTE WHAT IF THIS IS ALL A SMOKESCREEN SO THAT THE VEGANS THINK THE OILERS AREN’T IN ON BRUCE CASSIDY ANY MORE SO THEY QUIETLY RELEASE HIM FROM ALL OBLIGATIONS BUT THEN HA HA! SBGM SWOOPS IN AND GRABS BRUCE AND HE IS OUR NEW COACH YEAH!
NO, I HAVE NOT BEEN SITTING OUT IN THE SUN ALL DAY WITH MY TINFOIL HAT ON WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT
Oh God, I’m going to throw up.
https://lowetide.ca/2026/06/08/ill-take-you-there/#comment-1433919
^^^^this, so much this!
Could the Babcock hire be a bait and switch? Then get Cassidy when he shakes loose? Babcock last hire was short lived.
That would be a great move, truly poker/avant garde. Would explain Stauff’s ridiculous take
The more I think about this, the more it makes sense. Sign Babcock to a three year, 15 million dollar deal.
Pocket change to the owner and sticks it to Vegas.
the Only article ive found with details on the CBJ stuff for those interested
https://www.dispatch.com/story/sports/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/2023/09/17/mike-babcock-resigns-as-columbus-blue-jackets-coach/70876230007/
A source told the Dispatch that one of the biggest things that changed the team’s thinking was a player telling the NHLPA that Babcock held his phone “for an uncomfortable length of time,” during a meeting in Columbus held somewhere other than Nationwide Arena. The player said Babcock looked through photos for “several minutes” and there was concern the coach would search his text messages.
This is well passed borderline creepy. Maybe it’s all a ploy to get Nurse to wave his no move.
MacTavish for 1 year doesn’t sound so bad now does it? I wonder if they talked to Gallant? Hell I would have taken Coffey over Babcock. Sometimes it’s tough being an Oiler fan.
GG was always my second choice. Hell I heard Coffey was an option for the one year bridge. MacT doesn’t sound so bad at all right now… as assistant coach with Coffey? Keep Babcock in line.
I would always say everyone deserves a 2nd chance. I believe that. But isn’t this Babcocks 4th chance?
Here is the simple question: Can a Leopard change it’s spots?
Hockey: the only sport where bullies and sexual predators are given a
second, third,forth chance.I would say the National Felony League is still ahead of the NHL.
Absolutely.
That is a question, not the question.
Another would be: can he coach this team to a Stanley cup win?
I don’t get the outrage here. What Stan Bowmwn allowed to happen in Chicago under his watch is infinitely worse than anything Babcock did. None of these clowns should have a job. This is the standard NHL playbook. Recycle old grizzled clowns with a name. Nothing new – certainly not for the Oilers and most teams in the league.
You should be embarrassed to go down this path which is on the public record to be BS. Attribute blame, which you can’t because you do not know what happened, and Bowman was not personally involved in the act, to those responsible
This is on public record as well, Bowman spoke to K Beach about taking the Oilers job and he was fine with it as they had made amends. What happened was on Bowman’s superiors, and SB said he should have done more. It was 16 years ago or whatever, and the awareness was not the same as even 5 years ago. What else do you want?
And you are wrong about Babcock, He did continuing abusive things over years and teams personally. There is a very big difference, and if you don’t know the difference, from personal experience, please stop the virtual signaling, it’s offensive
The players were actually making fun of Beach, including Duncan Keith by the way. If Bowman didn’t know this, he was grossly negligent. I’m not condoning the actions of any of these people. My point is the league is full of people with poor moral character. The Oilers have hired plenty of them. I think hiring Babcock reeks of desperation, but this is Oilers. Babcock is no worse than any of these clowns. Some of them deserve redemption. Some don’t. I just find the moral grandstanding kinda facile.
I completely agree.
Babcock does not make my top 10 of despicable men currently working (or about to work) in hockey. I’m not sure he would be top 5 on my list of most despicable men attached to the Oilers in the last decade.
Purely referring to the on-ice product, a Babcock coaching return is the most interesting coaching outcome in terms of storylines this upcoming season.
Bowman didn’t knowingly let anything happen under his watch – as per the publicly available facts.
I didn’t say that. I said he should have known. The players certainly knew. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not condemning Bowman. I just find the moral grandstanding facile. I also think the move stinks of management panic.
“should have known” is a pretty unreasonable bar.
Just wanted to double down on everything I’ve said about this joke of a management team. That is all. Back to lurking.
Mike Babcock, COME ON DOWN!
The Cellphone Photo Scandal (Columbus, 2023): During his brief 10-week stint as head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Babcock was accused of forcing players to show him private, personal photos from their cell phones in what was allegedly a “character-building” exercise. This sparked an NHLPA investigation that ultimately led to his abrupt resignation.
The Mitch Marner Incident (Toronto): During Marner’s rookie season, Babcock made the 19-year-old forward write down a list ranking his teammates by their work ethic from best to worst. Babcock then shared this confidential list with the veteran players, publicly embarrassing and marginalizing the rookie.
Bullying of Johan Franzen (Detroit): Former teammate Chris Chelios revealed that Babcock severely bullied Franzen, subjecting him to horrible verbal attacks. Franzen later detailed that Babcock’s mental games were so abusive that he began suffering from severe depression, PTSD, and a nervous breakdown, noting that he was “terrified of being at the rink”.
Benched for Milestones: Babcock deliberately healthy-scratched veteran players on the verge of massive career milestones. In 2011, he scratched Hall of Famer Mike Modano with 1,499 career games played, denying him the prestigious 1,500 game milestone. In 2019, he scratched Jason Spezza in his hometown season-opener in Toronto.
Public Player Evaluation Rankings: During his time coaching the Maple Leafs, Babcock reportedly displayed confidential player evaluations that ranked their work ethic on a projector for all to see.
Love Mike Commodore’s interview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwEKvU_Fa1Q
Babcock is a POS, plain and simple; it disgusts me that this is what ownership believes it has come to.
Clown show. Stauffer trying to suck up all the gaff’s and farts was disgusting as well.
Big ups to Frank to not put up with the smoke screen bob was trying to set out.
The only issue Frank had with it was the timing and why they didn’t wait to see if Cassidy would become available after the playoffs were over.
Seravelli had no issue with the hire itself.
Lol.
Frank had to struggle to get that point across multiple times, it was hard to even listen.
Jason Gregor no likey.
https://x.com/Sports1440/status/2064124169382703343?s=20
Even if he ranked #1 in whatever evaluation system they used Does Batman really believe that he would rank that much higher than the 2nd ranked coach to make up for the massive risk taken? It’s obviously Batman making these calls now – only way to explain the bizzaro world.
I have a hard time believing he should be the top ranked option anyway. He’s been ignored for 3 years and hasn’t been relevant in 7 years.
The only team interested was a bottom feeder.
And why is Robin mentioned in Bob’s sermon?
Why is this and the Cassidy talks even being leaked? Starting to wonder if Batman himself is the leak – too many late night Vodka tonics
Can’t imagine the league is happy about this leaking at all – They don’t need this negativity especially right now in the middle of the SC final
Just a lack of professionalism with the so called management of this team
Well, given how adamant Stauffer was, this IS happening and everyone is onside, ownership, management, Connor/Leon.
I’m not sure what to think as I’m still very surprised/shocked.
First instinct is I wish they hadn’t due to the PR shitstorm and the shitstorm online – it takes away the enjoyment of a favourite pastime of mine – discussing the Oilers – I don’t enjoy it as much when there is a shitshow.
With that said, the org and the owner 100% knows the PR shitstorm this will create and is going ahead with it – this means to me they really have decided this coach is the guy.
His resume is legit, the man can coach.
From Stauff, some of his attributes are around structure, creating identities for every line, balancing out minutes, etc.
Shit, maybe this works and he leads this team to where they need to go. He’s got the ability.
Is his resume that legit though?
I digress. You could argue that he wasn’t as strong as a coach in his later years as well.
The guy is 6 years removed from the NHL.
I’m sorry, this is funny.
Frank Seravalli made great points in Stauffers show today. They should have at least waited until the season was done ti see if they could talk to Cassidy. There was no rush. It makes me wonder if they had Babcock as their #1 choice this whole time. Im starting to think they did.
it would be fascinating to know what all upper management including our new younger assistant GMs think of this move. It sounds ownership driven from what we have heard with him speaking with Daryl and his son.
Yea, this was a clownshow move; it aligns and checks out though. It’s really too bad for the players.
Perhaps its lip services but Stauffer says its 100% uniform across the org from the owner, to management to the top players.
Of course Daryl was going to be involved given the PR this would be coming with.
I agree, not sure why they could’t wait a big longer, at this point unless, during the course of their discussions, they flipped and Babcock became their #1 guy.
I suspect you’re right that he may have been the #1 choice. Babcock was asked about coaching again on May 20th out of nowhere so it’s either Plan A or Plan B with very long odds on the Oilers playing Mike Babcock-esque mind games (too soon?).
I hope Babcock brings in Pat Quinn as the PP coach.
That would be Heavenly.
Quinn passed away in 2014.
Some kind of sick joke.
If this goes poorly, the Oilers organization will cement their status of being the joke of the league.
Listening to Stauff reminded me of a used car salesman, trying desperately to sell a pinto. You know, the cars that used to blow up?
He was selling hard
Yes he was. He was not ready – got very defensive w/Servalli. Even for a simple question – “what’s the rush”? You could have waited, Babcock was not going to be hired anywhere else.
I would not be shocked if Babcock does something that results in him not coaching a single game for the Oilers. That potential is out there. This hire is Milbury level bad.
If he believes what he’s saying then fine I have no problem with what he’s selling. If he’s getting his marching orders and he’s not capable of independent thought then what a sad way to make a living being a yes boy.
and if it doesn’t go poorly….?
Bless you! Great question.
I have a sliver of hope. McD and Leon vs Babcock could make for an incredible dynamic. In some ways, pile all the egos together, maybe they come out as complimentary to one another?
The players said they wanted to be coached “hard”… careful what you ask for. Yet, if anyone can handle Babcock’s BS, it’ ones the best players of all time and Leon, who is top 5 non NA player of all time. (Let me double check that last one… Lindstrom, Datsyuk, Fedorov, Chara, Hayek… that’s a close call)
I’m more worried about the rest of the team. Different players need different things from their coach. Shit. Positive, right?
I hope he’s learnt his lesson. The Oilers list of “redemption story”s is growing long. McT, Kass, Kane, Bowman… I’m sure there’s more.
What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger? I’ve heard he puts out four lines, develops roles for each player and holds accountability. Let’s hope he sticks to the good things.
Grant Fuhr, Dave Hunter, Shane Corson also on your redemption tour.
The world is truly upside down.
Babcock is getting hired and I’m giving you a thumbs up.
Oldie but goodie. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6_X7PMN99Y
At least he’ll play them a reasonable amount of minutes?
I have gone FULL VIKTOR CHERNOMYRDIN on next season.
His famous catchphrase, “We wanted the best, but it turned out as it always does,” became a defining expression of the disillusionment many Russians felt during the turbulent 1990s.
You’ve got to give it to Jackson and Bowman, they are all in, that takes some guts.
In desparate times, it takes no guts. There have effed things up so badly, all they have are Hail Mary’s. Every move they make now is a Hail Mary.
I disagree with more of your posts than I agree with, Godot10, but this one landed well.
The loudest people in the room are often not the smartest. Those who take a calculated approach can sometimes be mistaken for being timid, while knee-jerk reactions are rarely a solution.
Reminds me of the last days of Peter Chiarelli.
It would take guts to hire Nelson or Woodcroft back. It would take guts to wait out Vegas for Cassidy, or even strike a deal at the draft.
This “guts” is borderline crazy, like that one nutcase in every war movie. Courageous, but insane.
As Serevalli said, why not wait 10 days. It’s not like Babs had a long list of suitors. That being said they may know Cassidy will not be freed, we will only know if he goes elsewhere, and maybe even then it was never an Oiler option
I am on Team Spezza for the next GM of the Edmonton Oilers. With Shanahan as POHO.
And what happened to the whole “the players won’t really be involved” thing? Instead they’re allegedly “talking to the leadership group”.
No one in this circle would appear to have any damn clue.
Bowman doesn’t shock me – that video clip from the trade deadline of him going through he process shows all anyone should need to know…but there are a whole bunch of other layers there…and really no objections? That sure screams desperate…wow.
Stauffer on Babcock video:
https://youtu.be/hhn5Fth2A28?si=58Tw0zJg5CpLRXgn
This isn’t AI, right? I’m seriously having to check.
The Edmonton Oilers are run by abject morons and I will be operating from that perspective from this point on if any of this is shown to be legit.
Nope…it’s legit.
Have a feeling a bunch more folks will be joining me in the “the most qualified people don’t actually run sports teams” camp if this goes ahead…
There is no meritocracy.
Stauffer should be embarrassed by this. Crawl out of Babcock’s ass for a minute.
Stauffer must have thought he was MCing Babcock’s hall of fame ceremony.
Why would I care what Babcock did as a coach in the 90s?
The guy coached 5 seasons in the last 10 years and had a losing record.
..But hey! He won it with Lethbridge won that one year in 199something.
It was pretty bad. If he is what he says he is he needs to own his fanboy now fully if it goes sideways
bang on!
and check out the recent lack of success of Torts, recently and most of his career outside the cup season.
Great radio right now w/Stauffer and Servalli. Servalli pushing back on Stauf.
That was awesome
Maybe they hire Babcock for a year if Vegas wants to pay Cassidy to not coach anywhere .
A cunning plan, 5 year deal of course and they know they will have to fire him probably before season end, Cassidy gets permission by then
Cassidy only has one year left and doesn’t need permission next summer
Yes but I think they will release him post playoffs or in season
Post playoffs only really matters to EDM or possibly TML as there are no other openings (except Vegas). In season would be interesting but would Cassidy do it if he had a handshake deal with the Oilers?
Cassidy will be hired in season by someone. Book it.
The Oilers should seek permission to interview all 3 of the Vegas assistant coaches.
i’d rather Ducharme (sp) than Babcuck
this is brilliant
What could possibly go wrong??? 🤭
Babcock “Spoke to Harrison K*tz” per Bob. That tells you all you need to know🤣
Lmao you can’t make this stuff up.
Imagine having two years left of McD and your answer is Mike Babcock. I am sure he is already getting Matt Savoie to list the Oilers hardest workers.
🤣
It’s starting to sound like Babcock is inserting himself, apparently decided he’s not retired. Gross
Some people are masters at selling themselves
I’d imagine that McDavid is a lot more involve here than you think he is.
Harrison just graduated NYU with a JD and MBA in May so I expect we’re gonna see him in management for OEG/the Oilers really soon.
With Leon-Connor as Coach and G.M with Nuge & Hyman as assistant Coach and G.M. It’ll be the new OBC the only difference is they won’t have 5 Cups under their belts.
Hes already alternate governor
He’ll be el presidente soon
Wow! Almost as important as my Bachelor of Dish Washing.
Next you’ll have to get a Masters of Dish Washing Administration and your Dish Washing Juris Doctor!
One can only dream. Maybe move up to Soups and Salads in five years.
Maybe! Sounds like your first mistake was your father not owning a restaurant empire though.
Ridiculous, Embarrassing
Apparently Chayka has interviewed 35 coaches. The Oilers 18 or something. Some of you that have worked up the corporate ladder can speak to this, but it seems like ass covering to me
There aren’t 35 coaches that should coach a NHL team that aren’t. You don’t need 35 opinions on what to do to be better. There aren’t 18 either. Pretend you’re being exhaustive
From 2000-2025 there were 206 unique NHL head coaches.
There are only 8 NHL coaches still with their teams that started the 2023-24 season with them. How many of these guys have an NHL head coaching job now? https://www.reddit.com/r/nhl/comments/1s8t9qn/only_eight_nhl_hc_from_the_start_of_202324_remain/
We have multiple Stanley Cup winning coaches that have been working in the KHL or Europe (Crawford, Hartley), there are 32 AHL head coaches and over 100 assistant coaches in the NHL. 18-35 isn’t unrealistic.
So if they are not employed anymore are the actually viable as the league sees it? Assistant coaches? No for where the Oilers are at
I’m just saying that 10 former NHL coaches and 10 future NHL coaches is not an unreasonable number
It’s all salad dressing. Bowman is going to go with someone he knows and is on the same page.
Turns out you are correct
Quoted for truth
This Stauffer segment is insane. “Hes their guy. From the top down.”
says 100% he will be the coach unless NHLPA or NHL says no. Has been going over Babcock’s record for 10 mins.
“All signs point to Mike Babcock becoming the next coach of the Edmonton Oilers” – Stauffer
I mean, it’s either a homerun or a strikeout.
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves; Babs still has to go through everyone’s phones before he agrees to take the job.
You think the Oilers would have already inquired? Or NOT😅
This sounds like Batman has informed everyone he is the guy and fall in line
Babcock and Cassidy are fairly similar in their tactical and the expectations from players. It’ll work out. Media is making it a bigger concern than it will be.
The salient thought that has escaped me until now though, is Babs/Cass both emphasize puck possession and structure over creativity.
Nurse has been a stud historically when the team plays with structure, and so was Stu.
Nurse and Jarry could very well be huge additions next season and we dont even have to make a deal to get them. We just need the right coach.
I don’t know Babcock’s system, but Cassidy’s which the Vegans are playing generates quality chances offensively, what works in playoffs particularly
Per Rishaug, the leadership group is 100% on board with them going down this path and the org is fine with negative publicity if it helps get them over the hump.
I tried to paste the exact tweet but couldn’t get it though the filters.
The Oilers are leaders in getting negative publicity AND being unable to get over the hump.
McDavid said “The whole organization needs to be better”
He did not mean just the coach. Or players. He meant free agent signings, trades, draft, development. He meant assistant coaches, penalty kill, and of course he meant leadership. Losing value in trades due to leaks.
Upper management absolutely needs to be better.
This is a bad look.
This is Jeff Jackson. Smug smartest guy in the room presence from day 1. He got hired how?? Don’t know, but it was an out of nowhere hire.
But he first goes out to get his fresh “Im going to make him great coach” in Knoblauch. Okay, not terrible but certainly not a coach who has already learned the NHL. Big learning curve.
Then hes going to bring in new GM and goes for another who he considers and undercover gem waiting for a second chance. “Im going to look great hiring this overlooked GM”
But he doesn’t need a GM for his big free agent signings as he pens in Skinner and Arvi.
Meanwhile this signing expose him to offer sheets. His bumbling of GM turnover results in nobody looking after Broberg or Holloway. Holloway stating nobody even showed up to start talks.
Broberg and Holloway sign offer sheets!!? How dare they. We don’t need them, we’ll find better
Jackson/Bowman seem to have no issue loosing experience behind the bench for 25/26
This is Jackson again. He believes he’s thinking outside the box, discovering somebody only he is smart enough to see. Babcock. Idiot.
What are the players texting each other right now?
Making bets on when 97 leaves?
July 2027
You trade him way before that.
Jeff Jackson was Connor McDavid’s agent and then we hired him as CEO. It’s not hard to connect those dots.
McDavid would not have any influence in that decision, nor would any player want to.
Seriously? His agent became the GM and his junior coach became the head coach but nobody considered asking the captain of their team what they think because he wouldn’t want to have influence?
Weird how the guy that didn’t want to have influence publicly called out the coach in March.
Its been 100% verified that McDavid had ZERO to do with Knob being hired, zero – didn’t even know it was happening.
Reiterated in very clear words by Stauffer today.
Babcock, on the other hand, McDavid has been involved.
————-
McDavid called out the coach in March? I don’t recall that.
“That’s a coaching question—you can ask Knobber (Kris Knoblauch) that. Obviously we’ve been playing together a long time and feel like we’re somewhat rehearsed and organized, but not to their level.” – vs. TB March 23rd
That’s not calling out the coach.
The question was about the Oilers not being prepared like TB. I don’t know how else you read it.
First off, team has a leak problem.
Secondly, I don’t think anything happens before the 17th.
Hopefully this is just due diligence, and not “DOH!” diligence 😩
Test
Test of our belief, correct.
It must be
-ing our patience
-es