The Edmonton Oilers are entering a new coaching era with Mike Babcock expected to demand more from Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. His arrival has raised questions about whether Edmonton will reduce the heavy workload carried by its two biggest stars.
However, Edmonton insider Jason Gregor does not expect Babcock to make a drastic change. The more likely plan could involve managing their minutes without taking them out of the game’s biggest moments.
Jason Gregor Doubts Babcock Will Cut McDavid, Draisaitl’s Ice Time
Gregor believes the discussion around McDavid and Draisaitl’s workload needs more context. While Babcock may reduce their usage, he does not expect either star to suddenly become a 19- or 20-minute player.
“I know that everyone’s saying McDavid and Draisaitl are all going to play less minutes,” Gregor said on his show. “I think we have to have a discussion on what’s way less, like 21 minutes? All right. I could see that. I don’t see them being around 19 or 20. I just don’t, I got to see that to believe it.”
Gregor pointed to Babcock’s 2008 Stanley Cup-winning Detroit Red Wings team as a useful reference. Pavel Datsyuk averaged 21:51 per game that season, while Henrik Zetterberg averaged 21:03.
This history suggests Babcock can manage elite forwards without removing them from major responsibilities.
The difference for Edmonton is that McDavid and Draisaitl already operate at a much higher level of usage. During the 2025-26 regular season, McDavid averaged 22:59 per game, while Draisaitl averaged 21:35.
A reduction of roughly one minute could therefore represent a meaningful adjustment without changing their status as Edmonton’s primary drivers.
Babcock also appears interested in maximizing the duo together at five-on-five. Keeping them on the same line could give Edmonton an elite scoring unit while creating more defined responsibilities for the supporting cast.
Players such as Jason Dickinson and Colton Dach could become more important if Babcock expects the lower lines to handle difficult defensive minutes.
This depth could determine whether Gregor’s projection becomes realistic. If Edmonton’s secondary forwards can defend effectively and maintain possession, Babcock will have fewer reasons to extend McDavid and Draisaitl’s shifts late into games.
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The coach has also challenged the stars to improve defensively.
McDavid and Draisaitl have carried enormous offensive responsibilities, but Babcock wants greater accountability without the puck. This approach could help Edmonton reduce its workload while keeping its impact high.
The Oilers hired Babcock after a disappointing playoff exit as the team suffered a major drop from back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances, and both McDavid and Draisaitl supported the move. With McDavid entering his new two-year contract, Edmonton needs its stars at their best when the postseason arrives.
