With a lot of questions surrounding the club, and probably none more important than the one behind the bench, the Edmonton Oilers are approaching the 2026–27 campaign.
After a disheartening first-round exit at the hands of the Anaheim Ducks last spring, the club made one of the most contentious coaching hires in recent NHL history. And with the regular season only a few days away, the guy in charge has at last spoken about how things are going.
Jeff Jackson, the Oilers’ CEO of hockey operations, spoke on Tuesday before the NHL’s board of governors meetings and had nothing but wonderful things to say about Mike Babcock, who was hired as head coach this summer. Jackson said he was “super impressed” with Babcock, assistant D.J. Smith, and the rest of the freshly assembled coaching staff, stating that the team’s energy during the first week of training camp has been apparent.
The Elephant in the Room
Let’s not make it seem as if this is just any other coaching hire. Babcock had not been on an NHL bench since resigning as head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023, before ever coaching a single game with the team. According to a report from the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast, Babcock had requested that players share personal images from their phones. In June, Babcock was cleared after both the NHL and the NHLPA conducted investigations into the situation.
Yet, the employment drew rapid condemnation. Mark Messier, an Oilers legend, publicly expressed his “utter horror” over the choice. The group clearly realized that it would not be a peaceful change. Jackson said the team conducted comprehensive interviews with both management and the leadership group in the locker room before making a decision on Babcock.
The club is entirely dedicated to this route, according to Jackson’s remarks. He lauded the coaching staff’s approach, noting that it will be “a little more inclusive” to guarantee that each player feels important and has a clearly defined role. He highlighted the Carolina Hurricanes as an example of a team that had buy-in across the board, stating that this would be a major emphasis in the next season.
The Pressure is Serious
The stakes in Edmonton couldn’t be higher. Despite making it to the Stanley Cup Final in 2024 and 2025, this team had a terrible season last year, going 41-30-11 and getting eliminated in the first round. With only two years left on his current contract at a $12.5 million cap hit, the chance to win with Connor McDavid at that price is quickly diminishing.
Although Jackson recognized the burden of expectations, he welcomed it. He claimed the team’s athletes are “as focused as they’ve ever been” and expressed confidence that the squad is stronger than it has been in recent years. Whether this new coaching philosophy and depth can result in a lengthy playoff run is yet to be determined.
The regular season begins on Tuesday when the Oilers host the Vancouver Canucks, marking the official beginning of the Babcock era. Everyone will be watching Edmonton to see if this gamble ends up being one the organization regrets or if Jackson’s confidence is justified.
