The Edmonton Oilers went through with their controversial hiring of Mike Babcock. Now, team captain Connor McDavid has shared his view on his new head coach.
“We want to be pushed,” McDavid said.
Connor McDavid will enter his 12th NHL season this October. However, despite being considered the best player in the world for the past decade, McDavid still hasn’t won a Stanley Cup.
READ MORE: Bruce Boudreau’s honest words about Mike Babcock
Mike Babcock as new Oilers coach
The Edmonton Oilers have fallen short year after year in their quest to win their first Stanley Cup since 1990. Although they reached the Stanley Cup Final in both 2024 and 2025, they lost to the Florida Panthers each time. Furthermore, McDavid is under contract through the 2027–2028 season, meaning the Oilers are firmly in win-now mode. With that in mind, they brought in Mike Babcock as their new head coach.
However, Babcock’s hiring was controversial, as he resigned from the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023 before coaching a single game. He stepped down following allegations that he had invaded players’ privacy. Nevertheless, after the NHL conducted an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his departure from Columbus, the Oilers were given the green light to make the hire.
Connor McDavid’s reaction
Now, Connor McDavid has spoken about how he feels about playing for a coach known for being extremely demanding of players whom he believes are underperforming.
“We all agreed that this is what we want. This is what we’re looking for. I’m excited about that challenge to be pushed by a coach, because it’s been a really long time in Edmonton,” McDavid told Sportsnet.
McDavid then continued:
“The definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different result. Babs is different. He gives us a different personality, a different approach to our group, and an approach that we’ve probably never had. We brought Babs in to be hard on me. And Leon. The top guys — that’s who we want him to point the finger at. After all, as the leaders of the team, we are always taking the temperature of the room and assessing things. Of course, we’re always watching,” McDavid said.
One thing is certain: it will be an eventful winter in Edmonton, one way or another.
READ MORE: NHL insider’s take on Mike Babcock’s first Oilers press conference
