The hockey world is buzzing after reports surfaced that the Edmonton Oilers are seriously considering Mike Babcock as their next head coach.
What began as offseason speculation has quickly turned into one of the biggest stories in hockey, with insiders revealing fresh details about how the process has unfolded. With so much noise around the Babcock story, Connor McDavid’s role in the Oilers’ discussions is becoming clearer.
Insiders Reveal Connor McDavid’s Stance on Mike Babcock
The Oilers have not approached this decision without involving their leadership group.
According to multiple reports, Babcock has met or spoken with owner Daryl Katz as well as several key players, including captain Connor McDavid. The message coming out of those conversations is that McDavid and Edmonton’s veteran leaders support exploring the possibility of bringing Babcock behind the bench.
NHL insider Frank Seravalli explained that player approval was essential if the Oilers wanted any chance of moving forward with the veteran coach, particularly following his resignation from the Columbus Blue Jackets before coaching a single game in 2023 amid concerns about player privacy.
“The only reason he’s been brought in is because they had to, because it wouldn’t be possible to get this pushed through without someone like him and the other Oilers leadership group being able to vouch for them wanting Mike Babcock. If not, it would be a non-starter,” Seravalli said.
Pierre LeBrun echoed that sentiment, noting that there was no scenario in which the Oilers would pursue a hire of this magnitude without consulting the team’s core leaders.
“There were so many social media posts right after Drags broke that story about people saying, ‘How could they do this to Conor McDavid?’ Are people really that naive? Like this kind of thing for sure, as sources have confirmed to me as well, would have been run by the leadership group in that room,” LeBrun reported.
While acknowledging that Babcock remains a controversial figure, he stressed that this is not a decision being forced upon the locker room.
The willingness of McDavid and the leadership group to sign off on the idea highlights the urgency inside the organization. The Oilers remain firmly focused on winning a Stanley Cup and appear willing to accept the controversy that would come with hiring Babcock.
Still, Babcock’s résumé remains difficult to ignore. He owns a Stanley Cup championship, two Olympic gold medals, and has 700 NHL coaching victories to his name. The belief inside the organization appears to be that his demanding style and emphasis on accountability could help push a talented roster over the top.
ALSO READ: Oilers Trade Rumors: Western Conference Heavyweights Get Linked With Darnell Nurse Trade
It’s a major risk for Edmonton. With McDavid signed for only two more years, the Oilers are in win-now mode, and any clash between Babcock and the team’s stars could have serious consequences.
That’s why management reportedly sought approval from McDavid and the leadership group before moving forward. However, a hire is not finalized, as the Oilers are still consulting the NHLPA regarding any remaining concerns about Babcock’s past conduct.
The story gained another interesting wrinkle this week. Just days after Zach Hyman’s Brantford Bulldogs hired Michael Babcock as head coach, the Oilers emerged as serious contenders to hire his father, Mike. The timing has certainly caught the attention of hockey fans.
