If there are worries about Mike Babcock’s ability to be an effective coach, they haven’t reached the Edmonton Oilers star players.
In fact, Leon Draisaitl is welcoming the tough style of coaching for which Babcock is infamous.
The 30-year-old told reporters that he spoke to Babcock numerous times since he was hired in May and reiterated that the Oilers aren’t concerned about the baggage that accompanies Babcock — their singular focus is to get back to competing for the Stanley Cup, whatever it takes.
“Like, we’re looking to be coached,” Draisaitl added. “We’re looking to get better. And I sometimes deserve (to be yelled at) too, just like anyone else does. I don’t think Babs is going to care overly much who we are in terms of that. I think sometimes that’s needed.”
The Oilers have had a reasonably successful if not ultimately disappointing few years, making the Stanley Cup Final in 2024 and 2025, but losing both series to the Florida Panthers. In 2026, the Oilers made the post-season but were bounced in the first round by the upstart Anaheim Ducks.
Heading into Year 12 of the Connor McDavid-Draisaitl era, the dynamic duo and the Oilers still have yet to reach the pinnacle, and the German star felt the 2025-26 season was a step back for the group.
“I do think that we never were able to really grab and find our game throughout 82 games,” Draisaitl said. “You see it every year, the teams that are good, there’s a pattern that they create and build over 82 games. They know what their game is. And I think we kind of missed that. We never really found what we were as a group.”
For his part, Babcock comes with a resume filled with championship pedigree. He led the Detroit Red Wings to a Stanley Cup in 2008 and a Cup Final in 2009, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim to a Cup Final in 2003 and coached Canada to back-to-back Olympic gold medals in 2010 and 2014.
Draisaitl feels that this experience combined with his coaching style is what the Oilers need to get over the hump.
“I think he’s just going to bring a different attitude and a different mentality to our group,” he said. “I think it’s exactly what we need right now. I think he’s going to bring something different, a different look. Everyone’s very excited about it and looking forward to working with him.”
The Oilers open their first training camp with Babcock at the helm in mid-September.