Connor McDavid’s pursuit of a Stanley Cup has placed the Edmonton Oilers under a brighter spotlight than ever. After a season that ended short of the organization’s ultimate goal, obvious questions have surfaced about leadership, accountability, and the direction of the team.
At the center of the latest debate is Mike Babcock, whose possible return to an NHL bench has drawn strong opinions across the hockey world. This discussion has now taken a new turn with an Oilers legend weighing in on McDavid’s role in the ongoing coaching conversation.
Oilers Great Takes Issue With Connor McDavid’s Public Coaching Remarks
As Edmonton continues evaluating Babcock as a candidate for its vacant head coaching position, former Oilers captain, coach and executive Craig MacTavish offered a candid assessment of how some of the organization’s star players have publicly addressed coaching matters.
The comments came during a recent appearance on Oilers Now with Bob Stauffer, where the discussion shifted toward the influence franchise players can have on coaching decisions.
Stauffer referenced several moments that fueled conversation around Edmonton’s bench, including McDavid’s comments after the 2025 Stanley Cup Final and Leon Draisaitl’s criticism of the team’s coaching before the 2026 Olympics.
Stauffer noted that McDavid openly discussed the need for adjustments following the Oilers’ loss in the Final. He also pointed to Draisaitl’s remark that “the coaching has to be better,” describing it as a direct critique rather than a subtle message.
Adding to the discussion, Stauffer mentioned McDavid’s admiration for Tampa Bay Lightning coach John Cooper, a coach widely respected throughout the league.
MacTavish did not hide his feelings on the subject.
“I didn’t like any of that stuff. I didn’t think it was appropriate to do it,” MacTavish said. “I think the dressing room is… sanctity. And these guys have tremendous influence.”
The former Oilers captain stressed that elite players have access to coaches and management behind closed doors, making public criticism unnecessary. In his view, internal concerns should remain inside the room rather than becoming part of the public conversation.
“Knock on Kris’s door and go in there, and all the coaches tell the players, ‘The door is open,'” MacTavish said. “You don’t need to go to the media with that stuff. I don’t think that’s good.”
His comments arrive during an important time for Edmonton. The organization parted ways with Kris Knoblauch after a disappointing first-round playoff exit, despite the coach guiding the team to back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances in 2024 and 2025. Across nearly three seasons, Knoblauch posted a 135-77-21 regular-season record and a 31-22 mark in the playoffs.
With the coaching vacancy still open, recent reports point to Edmonton’s interest in Babcock, one of hockey’s most accomplished yet divisive figures.
Reports indicate Edmonton has consulted members of its leadership group, communicated with owner Daryl Katz, and is consulting with the NHL Players’ Association as part of an extensive review process.
The additional scrutiny stems from Babcock’s past controversies, including his 2023 resignation from the Columbus Blue Jackets following an NHLPA investigation involving player privacy concerns.
Even with these bumps in the road, Babcock’s credentials remain among the strongest in the sport. He owns 700 NHL victories, won a Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings in 2008, and captured Olympic gold medals with Team Canada in 2010 and 2014.
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While the debate over Babcock continues, MacTavish’s remarks have shifted attention toward whether the public criticism of Knoblauch was necessary from the team’s top two leaders.
With McDavid and Draisaitl leading a team still searching for its breakthrough championship moment, that conversation has become just as intriguing as the coaching search itself.
