There was a lot to take in during yesterday’s media avail introducing the next two head coaches of the Edmonton Oilers. Mike Babcock was sure and smooth in his verbal, unwavering in his belief in himself and in his way. Please read this.
Babcock made it clear he required 100 percent buy-in from all involved in order to make things go. He stopped short of saying “whoever is not with me, is against me” but there was a similar biblical line in the sand established. Babcock leaned into the hockey talk with zeal, and looked like a man who wished the NHL season began right after the press conference.
It was as compelling as any I’ve ever seen. As theatre, it was stellar. As a look into the mind of Mike Babcock, it was stark. As a bellwether for the next 10 months, it offered all possibilities. It was wildly entertaining and emotional. Babcock may be more impressive in front of a microphone than Craig MacTavish, and that’s saying something.
DJ Smith emerged from the press conference as the head coach in waiting and as the guardrail for Babcock. Much as Tom Renney was brought on board to make sure Pat Quinn wouldn’t falter after three years away from coaching, Smith yesterday sounded like the man most likely to succeed as Oilers coach. It’ll probably take a year, or more, but I have zero doubt Smith is going to be a coaching star in this city.
Smith loves Evan Bouchard and thinks Darnell Nurse can help, and he doesn’t plan on using Connor McDavid on the penalty kill. Music! Plus he’s going to be in the room and is comfortable saying “are you sure you want to do that?” and my goodness that’s probably going to save some missteps.
Finally, it’s important not to leave an impression about Babcock by mentioning Pat Quinn. Both men had outstanding coaching careers before arriving in Edmonton. Both had a period of inactivity before getting back into coaching. Quinn lasted a year because the job of an NHL coach was too demanding for him at that point in his life. Quinn had a tough season, and by January there was talk of rebuild.
I do not in any way believe Babcock arrives at the job with a similar road ahead. Based on the verbal we’re hearing about the players meetings, and what we saw yesterday, there is going to be a marked improvement in the goal and shot suppression of this team. Edmonton will be aggressive in puck pursuit. The rest will be dictated by what is working and what is not working. Babcock has a handle on the game. I have no doubt about it. I’m also certain this organization hired Smith for a reason.
On the Lowdown today, Kevin McCurdy will be our feature guest and we’ll talk about the Babcock-Smith hirings and what may come in terms of roster construction. Noon to 2pm, Sports 1440 and You Tube.
Edmonton Oilers 2026 NHL Draft: Picks, areas of need, trade possibilities
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7386354/2026/06/24/edmonton-oilers-2026-nhl-draft-picks-trades-preview/
— has the term and $ been confirmed for Babs?
— so supplicant noone asked this during the avail.
— Babs famously cashed every last check before taking the coaching job in Saskatchewan
Based on tone it sounds like you’re looking down on that.
If you could cash 6.25M a year for years from the employer that fired you and told you to kick rocks I’d bet a shiny nickel you’re taking every damn cheque while parking your ass.
How he got the Sask job was silly. Adolph axed after making a great program (no saint himself). He paid players to come join his team. Offered full ride schooling and more. Kept some guys from going to Europe.
— not at all. It’s exactly what I’d do (plus Inhate the leafs so great to have them stuff it!).
— I just wonder why no one has asked how long is his employment contract and whether we will be on the hook should he do another “Columbus”.
— I’m curious what was negotiated: why was his bargaining strength vs the Oilers “desperation” to lock in on a winner who is a hard ass
Dave Adolph is one of the best hockey coaches. He did amazing with the UofS program, built it into a powerhouse. I know NHL coaches called him to talk shop.
Nope and I wouldn’t have expected that to be asked yesterday – way too much other stuff to cover.
I couldn’t really care less – its meaningless in my opinion.
— I don’t think it’s meaningless : a 1 year deal vs a 5 year deal informs a lot
— there was a lot of messaging when Babs got bank and term with the leafs : both in terms of how much he was getting paid as a sign of deference that players needed to have, as well as the length : there’s a new sheriff in town and he’s here a long time.
— the length and terms of coaching contracts are significant tells and you glean a lot. Is Babs the highest paid coach again ? How long is his contract ? Matters a lot IMO
Rishaug was speculating on his podcast that the comp was significant. As it was us “convincing him to come out of retirement” vs him begging for a job.
Whether its 1 year or 5 years, the owner of this team has shown no hesitation over th years to fire coaches and managers and pay multiple managers and coaches at the same time.
If its a one-year deal and it goes great this year, they’ll extend him.
If its a 5-year deal and it goes horribly, he’ll be turfed.
Sure it informs intent, etc., but I stand by the above of what will happen in practice no matter what the thoughts are today.
It’s times like these when the Oilers need a really good lawyer that they’re so lucky to have you.
Every team has a good group of lawyers. Hundred million dollar companies tend to have them.
Exactly, no impact on the CAP, so who cares. Some folks just want to paint others in as bad a light as possible. The coaching staff’s salaries have ZERO impact on the team.
Dickinson said he was playing with a fractured ankle.
Game day was to get the swelling down to get it in the boot and in the last few games, he needed to take something in between each period.
Lots of Toradol … I once passed a kidney stone when I was on call over the weekend during residency. The ER docs gave me IV Toradol and I could feel no pain for half a day afterwards.
A rather predictable trend developing for the up coming draft.
Depending on which mock draft used, 18 of the top 32 picks are Canadians who have committed to NCAA teams first next season.
There are another 10 European players ranked who will most likely play back home if they don’t make the NHL.
That leaves only 4 players who MIGHT return to their CHL teams should their agents not steer than to the NCAA later.
The CHL is experiencing a massive talent drain.
And another thing.
The USHL is launching a major expansion in the western U.S. with 8 new teams in California and Arizona set to launch for the 2027/28 season.
In the past, it was fairly common to see American born players in the CHL and the BCJHL but it’s very likely they will opt to play closer to home with vastly expanded opportunities stateside.
Notably, the expansion was triggered by Luc Robitaille of the LA Kings organization while Teemu Selanne and Joe Sakic will be owners of new franchises.
Canada’s game, eh?
7 of the top rated prospects are committed to the Michigan State Spartans.
They should be pretty good.
These were enlightening posts.
The trend of top Canadian-born prospects playing the NCAA may be of benefit to Canadian hockey in the long run though.
Those top prospects will get a chance to sharpen their skills and be more NHL-ready by playing against other top American prospects, and older NCAA players, instead of languishing on CHL rosters playing their 18 year old seasons in a league that no longer presents the same degree of challenge and opportunity for growth.
They will also get a better education by virtue of spending time in college.
This will also open up more spots on CHL rosters for Canadian kids who otherwise would not have been given the same opportunities, potentially increasing the pool of talent that Canada is developing at the junior level.
Ultimately, it comes down to grass roots still … the cost for kids to play hockey and the time commitment for parents of hockey playing kids is astronomical in Canada right now. If we want to keep dominating, then we have to invest at the grass roots level, and make the sport more accessible again.
Otherwise, more parents are going to steer their kids into other sports and activities.
“I’d rather have an arrogant guy working for me than someone who’s a whimp. I don’t think whimps are successful.” – Glen Sather
https://x.com/VintageOilers/status/1962741300249436460?s=20
Babcock exudes self-confidence … I don’t mind that right now for this team. I thought they looked a bit shell-shocked after getting beat by Anaheim.
OK, I have my concerns about Babcock but in that Rishaug interview with McDavid, that was by far the most excited I’ve heard 97. Not sure he sounded as excited about the Stanley Cup final, he must legitimately believe this is the way.
Yet to listen, but your last sentence….
This is the way
I had the exact opposite impression of that interview. McDavid sounded uncomfortable in the interview, like he was trying to convince himself.
The Oilers owner, POHO, GM, and new coach have put the players on the front line of the Babcock decision. Leading from the rear.
Certainly they’ve put the players on record, but your own bias may be showing. 97 used terms like excited, elite, talked about his role as a leader being to support the younger guys. To my ear, he sounded more candid and more animated than I’m used to hearing. I am not a fan of the Babcock hire but he sure sounded convinced to me. He may be wrong, but I don’t think it’s an act.
As I said hours ago, I thought McDavid sounded happy, sounds rested, sounds confident..
Frank Seravalli
@frank_seravalli
Zach Benson’s new deal with #Sabres clocks in at 7 years x $7.5 million AAV.
That’s a great deal of the team.
I agree, good talent with a decent contract with the cap going up.
I feel a lot of us aren’t ready for the contracts that are coming up. Still angry about Dickenson haha
Could be a huge bargain in time.
Buffalo is having a stellar offseason and now with the 4th overall pick draft pick can keep going.
My son played some spring hockey with Zach. Zach was one of those small, quick forwards with an engine that didn’t quit. So happy for him and his family.
Can I just say how greatful i am for the “trollhunter” button.
Has made this amazing community even better! Legitimately just lets me remove the couple posters who post the same post (usually ranting about the same thing over and over) 6 times a day or …we all know the guy that “everything oilers sucks” posts 30x a day!
Thank you again!!
Riiiiiight
I’ve yet to use it.
In some ways I totally understand the frustration, yet it’s vital for communities like ours to hear the crazies.
We can control our responses, and apart from our host, no one can say they haven’t reacted poorly of late.
The new generation is about limiting what we hear. I say hear it all, try to forgive and understand our community. No matter the opinion.
Hell, we may not appreciate DSF, HH and Fib, but his antagonistic and narcissistic comments are… valid? Warranted? The Ying to my yang.
In all honesty, I’ve made comments that made me never want to comment again. Whether due to my own stupidity, or someone making me feel stupid.
Why list a commenter as a troll, when one can simply scroll past the comments?
Speaks more of oneself than the troll, in my opinion.
I pity the next generation.
Im not from the “next” generation….
I find it just like having a buddy that always complains about the exact same thing… its nice to just avoid him for a bit.
Honestly HH is better than some that repeat the same thing over and over. At least he brings a “new” antagonistic view. I actually dont mind that. I just pass by when it is so ridiculous.
Its the ones that are posting the same thing again and again after the community ALREADY engaged a dozen times. Thats when i appreciate it the most!
Anyhow, juat wanted to reiterate I appreciate the option.
I built that plugin for one specific troll. I didnt want to see him glowing in the aftermath of the ducks loss. Im labelling him a troll because he is a troll. How many posts does he make when the Oilers are rolling to the finals? People are free to hide whomever they desire, and it doesnt affect anyone else. What it does do though, is shift the onus to each reader. You cant complain about someone when the fix is a click away.
Don’t use the feature myself but if I did it would probably be to block the “everything is awesome!” dude that posts 50+ times a day.
Hah! You have breath in your lungs and the Oilers have some of the most incredible talent in the world.
Learn to enjoy the game.
The Oilers org may go down as McDavid and Draisaitl’s achilles, the reason they never “won”. No doubting their skill, and both will go down in history as better than many who have won the cup. Game knows game, though I hate that saying.
Still worth cheering for… no?
How come someone go through the decade of darkness and come up with this malarkey?
Everything isn’t awesome, that isn’t life Grover. Time to grow up and leave Sesame Street behind.
Please do.
The Clan members will not be happy with this revelation.
You spelled Cult wrong.
Look forward to getting some smaller work done over the next little bit.
QOs will come out soon but lets get Dach re-signed for 2-years at a bit over $1MM, lets get Stastney signed (maybe just one year near the QO). Maybe they can lock Jones down before he hits market – would he take a one-way deal at $1MM?
Also James Hamblin is a UFA – I hope the org can bring him back. Maybe even give him a one-way deal even though he may spend all season in the AHL – owner can flex financial power here.
Sam Poulin is also a Group 6 UFA – not sure they’d give him a one way deal but maybe a 2-way deal with a large AHL salary or guaranteed min.
Wouldn’t mind something on Kap but I think he wants to go to market.
Based on your viewings is Poulin even worth a contract?
Yes, he was a good Condor and they will always need middle of the lineup vets for Bako. Every 10 games he had a game that made him look like an NHL player.
OP is opinionated about Poulin, and that’s not an insult, he’s just watched the games. OP is also not high on M.Jones, which is understandable.
I am curious about the question though. Why the criticism but vouch for a resign?
While we’re at it, I’d resign Jones. Imagine JFJ had his motor?
Don’t get him started on a 20 year-old 5th rounder that has already played meaningful games while surprising many.
Don’t get you both started on Clattenburg haha
We were talking about free agents so the point of this is……?
To be adversarial?
Its wild that you don’t understand I’m cheering for this kid – his path to the NHL is there – its too bad he has strayed from in recently.
I criticized the recall of Jones and it was not earned and based on play. As we know he was a complete non factor in, I believe 17 of 19 games the season before and was very meh in the AHL this past season. Not physical and inconsistent. Of course, for most of last season, when in the NHL lineup, he played well and I’d be OK having him in the org on a cheap contract – he’d be battling with the likes of Lazar (or emplacement) and Janmark, etc. for a bottom of the roster spt.
Spec got an exclusive with McDavid – article at spotsnet.
McDavid essentially confirms the messaging from the org and Babcock – they want to be pushed harder (alluded to it being a long time since they had that), acknowledges ice time may be down, acknowledges others will get leverage situations, etc, etc..
Rishaug with a 12 minute one on one with McDavid posted at TSN – a good listen.
McDavid sounds happy, sounds rested, sounds confident.
Talked about a coach with attributes they’ve never had in Edmonton. Remember when he praised Cooper, well he just said we now have an elite coaching staff.
Also, McFarland does by Farly.
My impression was the opposite. He sounded uncomfortable.
I didn’t get that at all. He spoke for 12 minutes, I can’t remember the last time he spoke for 12 minutes other than when he re-signed.
We learned something new this week about the Oilers.
They don’t believe in karma.
https://youtu.be/xLy2SaSQAtA?si=FkSYPhnOrMn2t88B
We get it.
The handle makes me think of Sesame Street.
So does the ongoing witch hunt.
I don’t get the Canadian Coach Jesse Marsch telling everyone that Alphonso would be eased into the game late if Davies was needed. Alphonso was never an option as he sat at the end of the bench and never did one stretch. Why get everyone’s hopes up just to be let down. Jesse needs to answer to this does he need to be reminded this isn’t a friendly match Canada had a chance to to win the bracket and face easier in the bracket.
Canada coach Jesse Marsch says Alphonso Davies was not ready to play in Wednesday’s 2-1 loss to Switzerland despite indicating a day earlier that the captain was expected to return from a hamstring injury.
Davies dressed but did not get into the game at BC Place.
Marsch acknowledged after the match that he used the Canada captain as a decoy.
Thanks for that. I just don’t understand getting the home side fired up for his return and then seeing he’s probably done for the tournament. Do I think the Swiss gave two licks if Davies was a substitute? Probably not. Davies is good but he’s not Messi like calibre. Very disappointing not being ready early on in both halves has to be on the coach. Ooh well if they win the next one against group A second place winner would be considered a successful World Cup.
Yeah, Marsch’s attempts at being coy and cagey have fallen flat.
2nd WC in a row where a Canadian manager would be better off saying nothing.
All he did was decoy a Nation of gullible fans like myself. Most of us thought Davies was coming in after the 2-1 goal. We all thought Davies would come in and save the day for the country of Canada. The Swiss aren’t a fragile team they can give a top 10 teams a real go.
Agreed.
Lots of chatter about ‘history being made’ when, really, Canada beat a lowly team, is now in the top 32 (where they’ve been before twice) and will have tough go in LA on Sunday.
That being said, I admired their tenacity down the stretch as the Swiss parked the bus and used every stalling tactic a veteran team can.
Maybe it’s better they go on the road. They looked really nervous. I think they were patted on the back a little to much after the Qatar blowout.They now have a short turnaround so do their opponents.Canada is going to need the bench to surprise if they’re to move on to the round of 16.
Yep, good points and… surprise… looks like they’ll play South Africa
I believe South Africa is ranked 52 in the world so that’s a break for Canada I Guess. South Africa is playing good ball we need to dispose of them in 90 minutes. my heart can’t take extra time and for the love of Pete no more talk of Davies playing it’s up to David-Larkin to get a goal or two.
If the Oilers are trading Nurse to the Flyers and the return isn’t Tippett or Cates then Bowman should be fired immediately.
If Bowman managed to trade Nurse with no retention and got back a serviceable player I would fall out of the window with confetti in my hair!
The Bars would stay open 24/7 for the entire Summer.
Id have alot of time for Tyson Foerster.
Tippet would be a dream, not sure what the Oilers would have to add – a lot.
I’ve mentioned Cates but that was before the Dickinson re-sign – that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be a great add,
Unless the Oilers are retaining down to near $6MM (or adding their best assets), its likely Seeler or Riso.
Seeler if they retain, Riso if they don’t?
Given his age and lack of grey, I have to ask – Did Babs dye his hair in the bathroom of a Texaco?
Not to mention he has quite a hairline for a guy in his sixties. I’m not certain I had a better hairline than that when I was 16.
Babcock won the genetic lottery for hair genes.
Leon and Mike are going to be having Hair wars all across the continent.
Like Yaremchuk said, he looked like he showed up to a casual media avail, with a bunch of people in suits.
“Throw this suit jacket on, quick!”
Marchenko needed to be an Oiler yesterday, trade Nurse and get it done Stan.
Howard, Akey, 1st get it done? Add more whatever, bring in Marchenko.
Podz/Drai/Marchenko will terrorize the opposition.
Jackets will soon be missing a LD
Nurse won’t go there though
If only, maybe they can get something from Pitt or Philly to add into a Columbus trade.
A 3 team is not out of the question
That’d be fun.
In essence, Nurse and a 2nd to not retain.
Howard and a 1st for Marchenko.
Pitts
Gives up : Frwd
Recieves: Nurse, 2nd rd pick
Columbus
Gives up : Marchenko
Recieves : 1st rd pick, Howard, (Pits Frwd)
Edm
Gives up : Nurse, Howard, 1st, 2nd
Recieves : Marchenko
I wonder if Marchenko is buddies from the old Country with Podkolzin . Who would have thought 85 years ago that a German would be flanked by a Russian on each side.
The Axis line?….
No?
Axis Powers consisted of Germany, Italy and Japan in the Second World War.
A shout out for Hungary-Romania-Bulgaria-Slovakia-Croatia
Pierre LeBrun
@PierreVLeBrun
Svechkov and L’Heureux to Colorado for Drury, Chase Bradley and Colorado’s third round pick in 2029
Frank Seravalli
@frank_seravalli
Full trade details, per sources:
To Predators
Jack Drury
Chase Bradley
2029 COL 3rd Round Pick
To Avalanche
Zachary L’Heureux
Fedor Svechkov
Can we get the full details one more time?
I don’t understand.
What are the height and weight of all of Colorados players and how much cap space is now available to be weaponized?
Ouch. If we follow the FibonaHHi guide to what makes teams good, Colorado lost this trade because they gave up a draft pick. They also gave up capspace. Yikes.
Who got the best player?
Ohh good point. Colorado did because Fedor played 52 games in the NHL at the age of 22 while Evan Bouchard only had 7 NHL games to his name at the same age.
Why am I comparing these 2 players? Well, it’s because the FibonaHHi guide says to.
One thing i find notable is that when Staff asked Babcock if he was a zone guy or hybrid guy or man to man guy, he was non-commital. He intends to take the summer to review the league and his roster.
I find this good news as im not sure our ceiling was improved by the move to the passive zone after the Vegas loss. I know we had our two runs but i still think the best team was either that year or the Game 7 loss or maybe the Avs loss.
We’ve never seen a more dominant Connor and Leon than the Colorado loss year.
Will Asher Barnett get any time with Landon DuPont next season?
Glad they dodged that $10.5/year bullet that was Tuch.
He’s good – he ain’t that good.
they will be dodging a lot of bullets. they have very few picks and no cap space
In Specs Connor interview he says this:
“I’m excited about that challenge to be pushed by a coach,” he concluded, “because it’s been a really long time in Edmonton.”
To me this confirms what some were saying, that they hadn’t found the right coach for this group. I thought it had to be a coach with enough gravitas (I said that here long before Bob) that commanded respect, that younger men would listen to – a coach and mentor
They really woofed it hiring young inexperienced head coaches as the core matured in age and hard knocks, and were in a place more likely to listen and do
“Gravitas” belongs to SS. You are now officially recognized and important.
I meant that I wasn’t parroting BS. Great initials for a broadcaster
My handle’s initials are a little off as well, not intended of course
And I will congratulate you on seeing this in real time. Coaches were decent, good coaches, but were not driving the bus. “Knoblauch took them to 2 final”s is not as accurate as “top talent took Knoblauch to 2 finals” Certainly no ill will towards coach Knoblauch or coach Woodcroft.
Thanks, and agreed on the coaches
— let’s see. It’s possible that Babcock can deliver the goods : being a hard ass isn’t enough
— No other hard ass coaches with gravitas that have been coaching in the last 7 years though ?
— Hope I’m proven wrong and Babs comes out guns ablaze with something to prove chip on his shoulder and does the work to come up with the right solutions and can be current
If there was any other choice that matched what they wanted, I think they would have made that one. There is only Cooper, Cassidy, Rod, Maurice, Quenneville that were active ATM
Gravitas? Perhaps hubris.
From what I’ve heard from MB, and from many who’ve heard him, his unwavering self-confidence seems to be the selling point. As anyone who’s been sold by a good salesman, it is an almost intoxicating experience (hence the sale: it feels good to be sold).
Oilerville has moved on from gravitas (that was the last coach, whom some criticized for his gravity), and on to swaggering self-assurance. With an apparent backup in place. All that’s left is to make the popcorn and enjoy the spectacle that will unfold, Cup or bust.
Babcock is not going to change a lick. He’ll leave the star players alone but if your bottom 6 you better have your head down ass up. The team will get a 20% up-tick from the bottom 6 as I see Babcock shortening the entire teams shifts leading to more time for Dickinson-Frederic-Dach and the rest of the bottom six.
I support fully the Babcock signing. Innuendo was just that innuendo.
Athletes detest accountability.
But the real inexplicable failure by the OIlers is why incompetents like Bowman and Jackson were not fired, even before Knoblach.
Losing Broberg and Holloway, plus with the signing of the utterly talentless Frederic, and making the Oiler goaltending even worse than with Skinner should have cost them both with immediate firing.
But instead they get another turn at incompetence.
One can grimly imagine them holding on the Nurse.
And no substantive improvement in the roster.
We will know within 7 days just how incompetent Bowman actually is.
Very sad.
I don’t think keeping nurse is incompetence. Leaking reports of a trade is incompetence. Also starting Walman as 2LD would be incompetence. You can trade Nurse, but you have to have other pieces to replace him.
They’re paying Walman 7 per season, when healthy he’s a legitimate top 4 defender.
He’s literally never healthy. 63 genes twice in his career
Nobody is going to feel good with 63 genes like ever
THE TRUTH IS BACK!!!
Darren Dreger
@DarrenDreger
The Flames are trying to move Connor Zary. 24 year old forward has another year left on his contract at $3.775 mil. Sounds like Calgary is asking for a 2nd round pick in return.
Probably have to attach a 1st to that cap dump.
My hot take: Babs hasn’t learned a damn thing. That leads to one of two outcomes, as expressed yesterday by DSF.
Per Friedman:
David Pagnotta
@TheFourthPeriod
Sabres getting a draft pick as part of the trade, which is higher than what Tampa got for Raddysh
Pierre LeBrun
@PierreVLeBrun
The Sabres will get a third-round pick from the Capitals as part of the sign-and-trade with Alex Tuch.
Tuch will get 8 x $10.5M on his new team.
I’m a big fan of Tuch, but that’s pretty big term and dollars for a 30 year old 0.75ppg winger.
He and Thompson were not very good in playoffs. Nor our man McLeod again
Jack Quinn went cold, even though he was still shooting Nothing McLeod can do with his shooter on a cooler. Ditto his other winger, Zucker.
McLeod has positives but stepping up in playoffs isn’t one of them at this point in his career regardless of wingers.
I had a peek at RM’s 5v5 goal share. I care more about outscore than score, you can still defend if you can’t produce
Especially being the C
The number is big but it’s less than I expected – there was speculation about $12MM – mainly due to the lack of star power available via free agency.
One thing I am surprised hasn’t been touched on a lot is comparisons of Babcock to Hitchcock. Suffix aside, there are a lot of similarities between the two: extreme veterans in the coaching world, total hardass button pushers, high focus on Xs and Os/in-game tactics, deeply studious in analyzing game film, proponents of “building a role for everyone”, the list goes on.
While Hitch came in a bit late to clean up McLellan’s early season milquetoast, there is still a comparable there that is of interest. Primarily, the core guys did well under Hitch: Drai had a monster of a breakout season that saw him transcend into a top C, Nurse had a breakout season as well, Nuge found his game again, and McD did what he always did. However, virtually everyone else on the team regressed, which is precisely opposite to what they’re currently striving for.
But that was then, this is now, and lots has happened in between. Certainly will be an interesting season, one sure to be filled with much drama and many amusing post-game soundbites.
This is a real insult to Hichcock. While known in later years for “gettin on the grind” coaching style, he is universally liked and respected.
I dont’ understand this premise that playing McDavid and Drai together makes it easier to get more players involved. I mean, playing them separately immediately creates 4 useable wingers in your top 6. I mean, Drai turns Kap into a useable top 6 winger.
Its not 20 minutes and 20 minutes leaving only 20 (less special teams for the other two lines).
McDavid and Drai will get 2-3-4 minutes of PP time and they can play 16-17 each at 5 on 5 leaving plenty of 5 on 5 time for other players. Also, with McDavid off the PK, it leaves full on PK roles for bottom six players to up their overall minutes.
Maybe at home because of the last change, but not so much on the road, as per DJ Smith
Yes, I heard that but I think DJ was talking about its easier to defend the load up on home ice then in Edmonton – I’m talking about the premise that playing them together is required to get more players ice time.
100% agree. The idea is being pushed by Stauffer for some reason.
From everything I’ve seen, the games where we load up McDrai early are the games we least look like a team. It feels similar to when the Hall-Nuge-Eberle line would come off the ice back in the day. No chance to score when the top line is off.
The bench management has been so meh, exacerbated by not being able to get the team as a whole going, I will wait to see how they manage it. That they already know how they would handle things is great
I don’t think coaches should have to learn anything much after a couple of seasons in the NHL. Or they shouldn’t be there. Opinions may change or the game might, but they should know what to do
They know and are testing through a new term in this coaching regime – projects – how they want to run things, are waiting to tailor it to the roster. If the other guys can’t carry their weight I think they would keep them split until the right guys can be brought in
“we” have been preaching this since Tippett. and every coach goes back to 29 & 93. and that’s the moment we no they have no answers
Tuch may be Washington-bound, says various insiders.
OV is UFA. Wonder if he would sign in Edmonton just for fun.
Washington just picked up two scoring wingers. I wonder if Ovie is retiring.
People can have differing views and express them. You can have the opposite view and express them. What you can’t do is be abusive. Timeouts are one year in length. Thanks.
My apologies, too much coffee and nothing to do today.
Nobodys truly working today. Except the best of us.
Go Canada!
Scintillating save by Crépeau!
Working hard or hardly working!
Every time I see a comment like this I check to see if I can still log in and am surprised when I can.
Me too
Pagnotta reporting lots of NHL interest in Puljijarvi as a middle six option. Big year in Sweden and, from accounts, hip issues are a thing of the past (although I think we’ve heard that before).
I’m not posting suggesting for the Oilers (although I wouldn’t be adverse on a near $1MM deal) but just noting.
Babcock and Smith have talked about puck pressure and Jesse can play that game.
Completely agree.
Be worth a flyer to at least see how he does in camp.
Switzerland, not Sweden – my mistake.
That’s alright everyone makes mistakes on spelling.
I really thought he would find a home in Carolina with Aho and the other Finns on the team. Jesse will be a tryout or a cheap 1 year option as he is big-skate fast and can forecheck.
I was a fan, but the NHL issue is to me how he skates. The stop starts and tighter space don’t suit him as much as big ice, even with working hips
Yeah he takes big loops, not tight turns. Was that a hip issue or has he always been that way?
The kid is a lanky horse. I remember him running into or cutting off his own players in the corners and around the net. He might have improved, he wasn’t exactly agile
No thank you, I would rather have a 1 mill Kane.
I would not – Kane is a liability at this point (in my opinion).
Jesse would be Babcock’s whipping boy instantaneously. For a huge fella, he’s a contact optional player who never learned how to forecheck.
LT, thank you for your part of the on-air “Heat Check etc” segment yesterday. Well said.
Thank you.
It’s been very quiet on any Ingram news. Does anyone have a sense of why the team may not see him as a fit for next year?
Barring a miracle and pulling Helly out of the Peg, I don’t see a realistic significantly better option. Did he and Jarry not gel and since we’re stuck with Jarry that’s why? Just wondering if anyone has any intel
Lots of rumblings he’s headed to Ottawa
I would argue, with the recent coaching hire, that there is no reason for Ingram to see the Oilers as a fit for him.
I like Ingram as a player but I don’t think Edmonton is a good choice for him. Happiness first, too risky given his current situation
Sounds like Ingram is moving on, potentially Ottawa.
Stauff has been lukewarm on bringing him back all off-season,
They must have a plan for 2G considering not bringing Ingram back seems like a foregone conclusion.
Get good players. Keep good players.
Get toxic management. Keep toxic management.
One of these things is not like the other.
oh yay, another post from you saying the same thing for the 100th time in 24hrs.
ps. There is a mute button if you’re tired of hearing it.
I hope Babcock sent a care package to Bruce Cassidy’s lawyer for getting Cassidy to sign such a restrictive contract.
Babs led Oilers MUST beat the Knights in the playoffs next year and every year that he’s the coach here. He can send McCrimmon flowers after every series.
He can also beat whatever team Cassidy goes to for more flowers
And I wouldn’t want it any other way.
I sure liked what Babcock said about analyzing other teams for what works and doesn’t, and why. I liked that spoke to analytics. I liked what DJ Smith had to say. And now we wait to see if they have the right tactics and if the players buy into those tactics.
Agreed. But I would like it more if Babcock had already been doing those things for the last three years.
It appears Bowman was doing that for his previous three years before joining the Oilers. (Hence, all the immediate Europe/college FA signings that restocked our prospect pool.)
Sure, but I can’t change what he did for the past 3 years.
DJ Smith’s role is very important and I believe they have a mutual respect.
McDavid and Draisaitl have never played such a disciplined system if the Oilers get the same old real Babcock.
The unstoppable force meeting the immovable wall.
Cooper did not really rein in McDavid much in the Four Nations and the Olympics.
It is going to be fascinating to watch how this evolves or devolves.
Has McDavid ever thought about shift lengths in his entire life? McDavid and Draisaitl sticking to 45 second shifts as opposed to freelancing shift length is something I do not think either has ever done.
This gives me hope that an irritant to me might improve. I think they have been sloppy and slow getting off on line changes. Babcock spoke to what you’re getting at, having the gas to come back hard and pressure. Lots of goals were given up with an Oiler forward ‘in photo’ either because gassed or changed on and couldn’t get to the play
Cooper played his Generational player heavily like all other coaches do.
Coaches control who goes over the boards and when, there’s been times Oiler coaches have rolled their lines. Its on the coach to control the bench, bad players get caught out for long shifts every game.
The problem with the Oilers is not McDavid’s or Draisaitl’s shift lengths, which probably all tie into them trying to drag the Oilers over the finish line considering their bottom 6 does nothing but give it all up.
Yah, complain about Oiler coach’s putting Mcd and Drai together, Cooper put Mcd, Cellibrini and McKinnon all together. Telling me McKinnon cant drive his own line? Cooper, rated the best coach in hockey did this at 1st opportunity. We need to give these Oiler coaches some reprieve.
Cooper could do that because the other lines were so strong. The discussion is whether the Oilers have that luxury. Many feel they do not.
Babcock famously kept Matthew’s under 19mins a game with 40-45 second shift lengths during their playoff runs together, winning not a darn thing.
Be careful what is wished for.
I wasn’t speaking to shift length.
Did you see how much he played that 1st line per game? I agree all lines are strong but in the final two games it looked like that line was out half the game…
Yes and MB has addressed this when saying the non core need to be built up. If they are being strategic on loading up there has to be support
If KK didn’t get schooled by Maurice two years in a row, no one is talking about 97 and 29’s shift lengths being a problem.
I miss Veridad. They would have some good views on Babcock.
He would have had some Veribad views on Babcock
F****n incompetents!!! Jajaja
Im somewhat indifferent to the Babcock hiring. Modern NHL players have more stroke than the coach and I don’t think would hesitate to tell him to go f himself if required. Someone needs to look out for the staff though. That’s part of Bowman’s job imo.
Im more interested in what Bowman now does with his roster. There is an opportunity with the Nurse trade, to make some badly needed improvements. There are always the excuses of no cap space, no draft capital, no tradeable assets. These are excuses. Other GM,s of top teams consistently make things happen year after year. I expect the same from Bowman.
Nurse might thrive with this coaching staff. Maybe they should keep him around. They can’t just give him away.
I think I’ve gone through the 7 Stages of Disbelief regarding the Babcock hiring.
1) Denial
Fake news, has to be. Just another wild Oilers rumour.
2) Investigation
Oh-oh, I keep hearing the same rumour… but who’s reporting it? Friedman? Seravalli? Some guy named OilersTruthBomb420?
3) Bargaining
Maybe they’re just talking about interviewing Babcock to put pressure on the NHL to put pressure on Vegas to let the Oilers interview Cassidy.
4) Rationalization
Draisaitl & McDavid are all in? Ok… maybe he’s not as horrible as he’s been portrayed.
5) Panic
Wait. The NHL is clearing Babcock to coach again? What? There’s a press conference tomorrow at noon?
6) Despair
They hired him. They actually hired him as Head Coach.
7) Acceptance
Fine. Whatever. Win the Cup and all is forgiven. I’m already dead inside.
Now that I’ve reached Acceptance, I’m kind of enjoying the big middle finger to Gary Bettman, Bill Daly, everyone at the NHL Head Office and every other team in the league, but mostly Vegas.
cool.
Ironically that’s why Babs got paid so much in Toronto. There was an argument of multimillion dollar players getting told what to do by a coach that makes 500k. Babs was a 50 million dollar coach, a significant investment by the team and owner thus having allot more atroke over players than before.
Smith coached both Nurse and Bouchard at the world and spoke about coaching up Bouchard and taking him to pure superstar status.
I don’t think we are taking about taking risk out of his game, and I don’t think we want to (maybe a bit more recognition of danger) but I think we are getting at net front type stuff.
It’s going to be wonderful.
Man, you really are on board now eh?
There are two choices, it seems, for us in Oilerville: we either drink the Koolaid, or we don’t drink the Koolaid.
As I hear more I’m just wondering, Why didn’t they just hire DJ Smith?
I am – why not?
What am I going to do, spend all my time conversing about the Oilers (which is a clear favourite pastime of mine) with doom and gloom.
I’ve expressed excitement about DJ Smith for about a week now.
With the head coach, I’m not an idiot nor do I have my head in the sand, I acknowledge it COULD go horribly but it also COULD go sensationally so, until/unless he crosses some line, I’m on board with him as a hockey coach, a tactician, a bench-runner, etc.
I agree with your opinion 100%. We’re not playing for him. Just win baby!
I just haven’t seen anyone here use the phrase “It’s going to be wonderful” in a long time, maybe never at all actually.
I had to double-check what site I was on.
I think Smith was getting at Bouch understanding when not to take risks. Although he still thinks Bouch can still make plays that most players wouldn’t dream of making.
Smith would also love to coach Darnell Nurse.
Yes, I heard him speak about Nurse and what he thinks he can do and, truth be told, with Murphy back and a coach like Smith, I’d be excited to see how Darnell would perform, however, I do think we are past that and he’ll be moved but I now think he’ll only be moved if there is a deal that makes sense for the Oilers and can make them better (including with reference to what they do with the opened up cap space). I don’t think he’ll be back but, if he is, lets see how it goes.
Either way. But the deal has to make sense.
Babcock had a one on one with Rishaug who pressed him again in Chicago. He said, he made someone uncomfortable, he didn’t have the support of management so he resigned.
He’s unapologetic and I’m fine with it.
I am all for his hockey mind and what he plans to do with this team, the players and structure. He has not done anything over any lines on this org yet and, unless he does (and maybe even if so), let’s go.
I really hope an enterprising reporter reaches out to Glen Sather to see what he thinks of the Babcock hire.
Slats was many things, but imo, being mean spirited was not one of his traits.
Sather’s north star for the Oilers was the Montreal Canadiens. The class exemplified by that franchise was a quality worth striving for in the architect’s estimation. Unfortunately for Glen, he worked for an owner who often put him at cross purposes when it came to keeping it classy. The more things change, the more they stay the same…
Knowing Sather, he’d probably acknowledge Babcock’s winning record while keeping his thoughts on Babcock’s methods to himself. Because honestly, if someone is invested in being a class act, a defence of Babcock’s bullying at this time is not the shrewdest move.
I’ve never thought of Sather as classy, I’m not sure I’ve ever heard him described that way before
Glen Sather did some mean spirited things occasionally. Ask Peter Ing. Or maybe even Paul Coffey.
And he protected the players for their off-ice behaviour. Sather was no morally superior saint.
People would be shocked how many times Sather bailed out players that partied a little too hard.
Huh??
Who cares what Glen Sather has to say about Babcock?
Why on earth would a reporter contact Sather for his views about Babcock?
I hope a reporter calls Igor Ulanov for his views about Babcock. He always had a mind for the game.
In the early days of the Oiler blogosphere, wasn’t there a blog named after Ulanov?
You probably don’t realize that Glen Sather was the greatest architect the game of hockey has and will ever see. The expansion rules were much different as Edmonton-Hartford-Quebec-Winnipeg were all raped of must of their best players. Sather combined WHA flow with the NHL tight checking system game. The Jets had a fantastic WHA team with a line of Hull-Nilsson-Hedberg one of the great lines in hockey Sather introduced the way that line played to the NHL.
Oh I love Sather. He is a GOAT.
I just don’t understand how it makes sense to ask him about Babcock at this time.
Just because Newton invented gravity, does not mean I need his views every time I fall off a ladder.
Sather cared deeply for his players.
https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/former-oilers-captains-look-back-at-the-life-and-times-of-glen-sather
“I remember vividly when Don Cherry made disparaging remarks about Randy Gregg’s ability (on Hockey Night in Canada). Glen made Don come and apologize at a team lunch. It was the right thing to doI it couldn’t have been easy for Don Cherry, but he didn’t care about Don, he cared about one of his players,” said Lowe.
He was an amazing coach and GM for sure
Of course he cared for his players. I think you take it out of context. He was the only person who could say a discouraging word about one of his players and the skies are not cloudy all day.
The context is interesting in that it shows what some of Sather’s former captains think of him.
It’s informative to compare that with how some of Babcock’s former players view him.
There’s a reason they were former captains , as you say.
Boone Jenner spoke highly of Babcock too, and i’m sure there are others, like Zach Hyman , Leon Draisaitl & Connor Mcdavid.
I’m curious about your Sather/Habs/class act argument. There are a number of reasons for that team’s success, but class —and especially as exemplified by Béliveau— is part of it. I know Sather played a relatively short stint w the Habs. Are there references to Sather talking about the Habs, their possible influence on how he managed the organization and the players?
ps. À win-now mentality almost by definition precludes class.
In the short time that I’ve been part of Oilerville as a fan I’ve witnessed some of ugly “leadership” behaviour, in the organization, and amongst players. The hiring of Babcock may meet a need; it certainly isn’t a class act. Hiring DJ Smith, however, may be another thing. It may be the 10-year solution that allows class to emerge.
Tried to post a Gemini summary of the Hab’s influence on Sather but it wouldn’t clear moderation.
Hmmm … is there a way to communicate other than via comments? DM or email or?
@lowetide – your suggestions?
Are you not entertained?!
Very entertained. Oilers have to be one of the most entertaining pro sports teams on and off the ice.
It’s consuming.
Well, we have the ‘good cop, bad cop’ part of the program covered. Can we now get to the ‘good goalie, better goalie’ act?
I’ve been trying to find an all time quote by a poster that happened on this blog in response to the Oilers hiring Chiarelli but it has been difficult due to the site not going back to 2015.
Funnily enough, there was a lot of talk about what a Babcock led team would look like in 2015.
Also stumbled across this gem of an exchange:
“Dashingsilverfox says:April 24, 2015 at 8:57 pm
No, he isn’t.”
Some Simone Biles-level mental gymnastics will be cooked up in response from DSF/HH/Fibonacci/next alias
That post should be framed and hung in the Hall of Fame
Now if you could just find the quotes about Colborne projecting to be better than Draisaitl.
and the ones where he said he wouldn’t trade Rafferty for Bouchard straight up hahaha…
lol
One player that may be the biggest benefactor of babs is Nuge.
Ten years ago Nuge was a puck hound often stripping pucks on the backtrack and winning 50/50 battles and races all over the ice. In the last several years that has rarely happened. Babs is unlikely to accept nuges top of circles to top of circles coasting play.
Nuge getting back to his old 200 ft player self would be huge for the middle of the lineup.
I haven’t been happy with how the systems the coaches have wanted panned out. I think it left a lot of players not really being effective. Connor obviously felt they never fully had or got the plan. I hope they all look like smart effective players again
I think Connor and Leon will continue being the glitter twins while the rest of the team becomes impowered to a higher level.
I think this as well Connor and Leon will have more leash to roam within the system.
Hyman is another player that may gain lots similar to Nuge. When Hyman came to Edmonton he was an excellent 200 ft winger. With the stretch focused system he flew the zone too often to be effective defensively.
I fully expect Babs to use the stretch pass as part of the transition game but in more of a Carolina or Montreal way. That old, send the wingers to the far blue system, that kk used was effective a few years ago. Teams have countered that effectively and kk couldn’t get the players to change. Or he didn’t coach them to.
Are we just forgetting the several haul ass back checks on the cup runs that saved sure goals against both Vegas and Dallas the 24 run?
Rarely happened is a cop out. He still does that at key moments of the game. He also is past his career peak. Considering he’s been a winger most of the last few years and the coached stretch passes, it seems to me he’s done exactly what he’s told.
Of all the players to claim bad habits on, i take onus on Nuge. Smart smart player.
I fully agree with you.
Maybe my wording was off. Nuge coasting was part of the stretch pass plan. I think with a better plan Nuge has a lot to gain. He used to strip pucks win races several times a shift. Now that happens rarely, enough that we all remember the few times it does. Like in the 24 playoffs. I don’t believe that Nuge is too old or beat up to only do it in key moments.
Nuge being an effective 200 ft player again I think is very likely under babs and will have a big impact on the other players to do the same.
Despite the many comments about utter planless incompetence, it seems they have mitigated a Babcock blowup to not be that disruptive. Although I’m not sure how good a HC DJ is
DJ is the associate coach. He’s part of the package.
I mean for when Babs finally gets turfed
Babcocks experience is an asset as long as he doesn’t rely on his Xs and Os from the past. His bench management and preparation for games ect will still have relevance. But the game has changed in the last ten years and even the last year.
Hes a super smart guy like Mac T and woody. Smart people are always learning. Babs sounds like he’s still learning and combined with his extreme preparedness I have a strong feeling he will be successful.
He’s considered a top coach, and now he has mature high end horsepower. The only thing that can ruin it is his mouth
Bowman has spoken expressly about studying the league over the last 3 years to inform his systems and structure and what will work for the group they have.
I think the most interesting aspect of Babcock’s hiring is what it says about Stan Bowman.
I think the most interesting aspect of Babcock’s hiring is that it was (I believe) done by Daryl Katz.
I bet Harrison Katz is the next GM of the team.
I believe that Harrison is, and will be increasingly, involved in the business aspect of the organization – will not be involved in hockey ops.
Do you really have to flaunt your power to type Dareal Catz real name in the comments without being caught in the filter like that.
Haha. I’m sorry.
Don’t ever apologize for an incredible power move. Bravo!
Boys and their toys.
It may have been pitched by Bowman to the owner before hand. At least that’s how it sounded in the presser.
This might be fair.
It could be true in 2 ways. Your negative viewpoint (correct me if im wrong that you hate the hiring), or, if it is successful it appears he prioritizes winning over perceptions or high “morale charactor”.
Its no different than any team, do you compromise and have the A-hole on your team if it makes the team way better? Some say yes. Some say no.
If it fails and blows up in your face it is even harder to justify the hiring.
But you can also end up with the best performer in the industry that others didn’t like because he or she was a jerk.
I am not a huge fan of this hirering, but, the vitral over Babcock being a dick is crazy. Lots of coaches are. Being a dick is not illegal (contrary to our pathetically soft culture of today).
So. Is SB hyper focused on winning regardless of perception? Isnt that what Vegas has done and we have been jealous?
Right or wrong, it seems that is his actions and therefore I have to assume his vision.
Being a dick in the workplace may not be illegal, but it is a fireable offense now.
Turns out encouraging bullying is not the culture builder people once thought it was. Something to do with mental health, self esteem, civility, basic human decency, etc. You know, all those things that make us “soft.”
You are like a dog with a bone.
The Oilers don’t care about the moral purity of the their players or staff. Period.
If you want / expect that, I suggest following a different team.
Truth hurts?
No I am just saying, the Oilers don’t care. If that’s what you want, you are going to be disappointed
Babcock might be a dick & a mediocre coach. Though I suppose he did win a cup with Datsyuk, Lidstrom, 0.930 Osgood, Zetterberg. Something very few coaches could pull off. Probably worth the player procurement problem it will cause.
Medicore coach is a take.
I would also note, the star power of that 2007/08 championship team is VASTLY over-stated. Dan Cleary was the third highest scoring forward.
Or a different sport – being a d!ck and getting under peoples skin (aka – chirping) has long been a part of the game.
I’m all for good people in top roles.
Looking around that’s generally not the case for many folks in top management roles in any sector.
Nobodys forcing you to support.
Not sure where you are hanging out, but my experience is exactly the opposite.
And there are good and bad people in every job and in every industry, just like in everyday life. Thank goodness there is far more good than bad.
Love that for you.
As someone who works in the medical field dicks are everywhere and no one is getting fired.
Let me guess. Urologist?
He wasn’t just a jerk, let’s stop sugar coating it, he was straight up abusive and punched down on supporting staff. I don’t think anyone has a problem with a hard ass, but he crossed a line and only the Oilers would consider bringing him back, because they really messed this team up and the owner feels he has to intervene now. I hope they have success, but I don’t think this organization deserves success. We will see.
— to each their own for their reasons to like or not the hire IMO
— I think his recent body of work and long absence from the NHL in any coaching capacity far supersedes his success with Detroits all star teams and Team Canada all-star win decades ago
— that he is demonstrably a dick would personally preclude me from hiring him but that’s the ancillary shrapnel for the org
— The best case scenario is he comes in guns ablazing, feeling scorned and misunderstood with the eye on the prize to send a big FU to the naysayers: that’s potentially a powerful driver.
— It’s a binary outcome : he has to make the Cup to coach next year
— I just don’t believe he’s going to be current or relevant and I wish our team had a different coach (and GM for that matter).
We have the luxury of former players and coaches regularly on Edmonton sports media. Over the years I’ve gotten to that things that are done are rarely simply for the surface reasons we hear and see
This is why I defend Bowman so often. It’s not because I think he’s a genius, it’s just that the character attacks and smears are rarely supported by information. We have no idea of the factors that lead to Babcock. Not to say that I like it
To be fair, many just think Bowman was not good in Chicago, from a strictly GMing performance, and many think his moves as GM in Edmonton are equally mediocre.
Right, but there are plenty that are not about his work only. Like the comment at the top of this chain. Not supported by anything, just a virtue signaling smear
The post invites people to infer their own meaning. So if you perceive it as a virtue signaling smear, that says more about you than anything.
In the context of your multitude of posts about Babcock, it definitely reads as moralizing.
Sure does.
There is nothing to infer. Your 100+ posts on the matter makes it crystal clear.
Do you mean like that I can perceive that sort of thing 🙂
Tallon built most of that original team, of course, Bowman as AGM would have been a big part of that.
Bowman re-tooled teams to win the cup 1, 3 and 5 years after Tallon was gone and had the team finish in 1st place in their division 7 years after Tallon was one.
To say that Bowman was not good in Chicago doesn’t seem objective – of course there were bad moves, as every GM makes.
I mean that’s my opinion. He was gifted a core of Toews, Kane, Keith, and Seabrook in their prime.
IMO he was very poor at managing the cap and it led to Chicago losing talent for years. You are of course free to disagree.
Bowman was in management when those players were drafted – we don’t know how much he was involved, potentially substantially, potentially not.
How success over the course of 7 years is objective – there are not many organizations that can sustain that level of high end success without cap issues eventually.
Ironically, I think the hypocrisy might be the worst part! LOL
I am reading a lot about “moralizing” here, as if asking questions and expecting professionals to have some moral standard is weird. Is it?
I’m assuming most if not all of us here are adults. Mostly men? But pro sports isn’t just for us.
As a kid, I rooted for a pro hockey team. I not only picked up my passion for the game, emulating my heroes as best I could on the tarmac, I picked up their language, their manners, how they deferred to the leaders amongst them. Now, as an adult, I look to my teams to be about winning on the ice, à fantasy world. I also look to them to be about winning in the real world. To live by what they say. To act honourably. Not to be saints, but to be men worthy of respect —and worthy of my grandchildren’s adulation.
Pro sports teams aren’t just about winning or making tonnes of money; they’re also about building a culture and community. That’s a moral enterprise. My sense is that this billionaire, like pretty much all the other billionaires, could give a sh^t about culture and community. So it’s “win-now” and damn the consequences. Which leaves it up to a handful of fans and pundits to keep asking for more.
This is hockey culture in Canada. The aholes get protected. If you have the gall to suggest adult professionals should act like it, you’re called out as “soft,” a “virtue signaller” or told to cheer for some other team.
It’s a playbook that is as tired as it is predictable.
It will only change if we keep asking for the change.
Thanks for not settling for the lowest bar (“win now, at all costs”).
I like my team winning just as much as the next guy. But if winning means having to sacrifice your core principles as a human being, to me, that tarnishes the victory significantly.
Complaining about the Oilers on a fan blog will have zero effect on the team changing.
Spending your money elsewhere might have an impact.
Nothing is going to change the Oilers. For every 1 voice of protest in this market, there’s 1000 willing to “get onboard.”
However, raising issues on an intelligent and well-moderated blog may elevate the conversations and expectations of an organization. Cultural change is a slow process. Building a classy culture may be the only game worth playing, for any of us.
What does it say about Bowman?
I think its just as interesting what is says about many of the fans/posters and their response to it. I’m sure some think the same of me and my opinions on it.
I haven’t see anything yet written about the term of Babcock’s contract. Did I miss that or has it not been disclosed?
Maybe it’s a community service thing imposed by the NHLPA.
And then to wonder, What has Oilerville done to deserve this service?
After burning through so many coaches, it all sounds the same to me.
Hopefully these ones figure it out, otherwise I am sure we will pull another couple off the scrap heap.
I appreciate the framing of Smith’s hire as a guardrail. From the little I read yesterday (its June in school, and the problems are real), he sounded like a smart guy who has a down to earth understanding of how to make a team work. Or maybe that’s my optimism talking.
Nothing wrong with optimism.
It appears, for some, any sort of optimism around the Babcock hire is to be criticized.
You’re not alone in reading DJ Smith’s hiring as the silver lining here. Let it be a lining that outshines whatever darkness, if any, may come.
He might be the link between Babcock and the players.