The Edmonton Oilers appear to be moving closer to a decision on Mike Babcock, but the discussion surrounding the veteran coach continues to grow. While league approval remains pending, the potential hire has led to heated debate across the hockey world about leadership styles and player treatment.
Edmonton’s stars have reportedly signed off on the move, yet concerns persist about how Babcock’s approach will impact the rest of the roster. This concern recently prompted former NHL forward Paul Bissonnette to issue a pointed warning involving Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and the Oilers’ locker room.
Paul Bissonnette Questions What Mike Babcock Would Mean for Oilers’ Locker Room
As Babcock remains the leading candidate for Edmonton’s head coaching vacancy, Bissonnette made it clear that his concerns have little to do with how the veteran coach would handle the Oilers’ biggest stars.
Speaking on the 100% Hockey podcast, Bissonnette questioned the idea that McDavid and Draisaitl would be the players most affected if Babcock returns behind an NHL bench.
“What the hell is Mike Babcock going to say to Leon and Connor?” Bissonnette said. “Like, he’s not going to say anything. He’s going to glaze them every day they show up to the rink.”
Instead, Bissonnette argued that the focus should be on the rest of the roster. “It’s the other guys on the team and the energy that he’s creating around the rink that has been the problem in the past.”
Babcock’s candidacy remains on hold while the NHL and NHLPA continue reviewing his 2023 exit from the Columbus Blue Jackets organization. Moreover, reports indicate that the investigation includes both the widely discussed phone controversy and additional claims that are being examined before any decision is made.
Bissonnette revisited the phone-related allegations that led to Babcock’s resignation in Columbus and questioned whether similar situations could occur again.
“What I give a [expletive] about is if he’s going to be calling a third-liner and saying, ‘Open up your phone. I want to see what you’re up to with your spare time. I want to look through your text messages, see if you’re texting your buddies about me and what your perception is of me,'” Bissonnette said.
He then challenged the panel directly.
“Do you guys agree that that’s a weirdo move? Like, are we all in agreement here?”
While discussing what successful coaching looks like in today’s NHL, Bissonnette pointed to Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour and the culture Carolina built during its Stanley Cup-winning season.
“We go back to connecting with the younger guys and making it more about not coaching the players as ‘I’m the man in charge,’ and more like a team,” Bissonnette said.
He continued by highlighting what stood out most from Carolina’s championship run.
“What’s the word that kept coming up? Respect. They respect each other because they’re a team together. They work together. It’s not this, ‘You’re going to do what I say.’ It’s a collective thing.”
Bissonnette acknowledged that discipline and accountability remain important at the NHL level but argued that modern players respond better to collaboration than fear-based leadership.
“It’s more about the way that some of these old-school coaches, specifically Babcock, approach them,” he said.
To reinforce his point, Bissonnette shared a story he heard from Sean O’Connor, recalling how Babcock allegedly approached the young player before a preseason game and said, “Pretty cool, eh?… Well, don’t get used to it. You won’t be here very long.”
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The debate arrives at a pivotal point for the Oilers organization, as reports indicate McDavid and other members of Edmonton’s leadership group have already met with Babcock and expressed support for the potential hire.
However, that backing has not eliminated concerns elsewhere around the league, with several player agents reportedly voicing strong reservations about Babcock’s return and the message it could send to current and future players.
