Oilers Coaching Crossroads
Mike Babcock's Oilers Hiring Offers Two Outcomes Amid Off-Season Crisis, Goalie Search, and McDavid Future
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The Edmonton Oilers have hired Mike Babcock as their 19th head coach, and the hockey world is split on what happens next. According to Edmonton Journal, this move "can only go 1 of 2 ways" — a Stanley Cup, or a catastrophic collapse. There is no middle ground.
The hiring comes after a brutal off-season. Head coach Kris Knoblauch was fired on May 14, 2026, despite a .624 points percentage and two Stanley Cup Final appearances in 2024 and 2025, per TSN. GM Stan Bowman then turned to Babcock, 63, who had not coached an NHL game since resigning from Columbus in 2023.
McDavid's 24-Month Clock Starts Ticking Now
Connor McDavid is the reason this hire matters so much. He is entering the first year of a two-year, $25 million extension, per NHL.com. He can become a free agent on July 1, 2028. That gives Babcock exactly two seasons to win a Stanley Cup.
If the Oilers fail, Edmonton Journal warned that Edmonton could rank "32nd out of 31 teams" on McDavid's wishlist for his next deal — a blunt way of saying he would rather play anywhere else. McDavid reportedly gave his approval for the hire in a private meeting with Babcock and team leaders, according to TSN.
Babcock Returns Despite Unresolved Controversy
Babcock's road back to the NHL has not been clean. The NHL Players' Association asked for an investigation into new claims from his 2023 stint in Columbus, per TSN. On June 18, 2026, the NHL cleared him of any league-prohibiting misconduct — but reportedly viewed his prior actions in the "least favorable light."
Former players have spoken out. Daniel Winnik said Babcock "made [them] hate hockey," according to CBC News. Babcock himself set a sharp tone at his introductory press conference: "Unless you're 100 per cent all-in on Mike Babcock, I have no interest in being the coach," he told reporters, per CTV News.
Goaltending Crisis Adds Fuel to the Fire
Bowman's troubles did not start with the coaching search. In December 2025, he traded fan-favorite Stuart Skinner to Pittsburgh for Tristan Jarry. The deal has been a disaster. Jarry posted a .882 save percentage in 33 starts for Edmonton, per Marqueur — well below the league average.
The Oilers now carry Jarry's $5.375 million cap hit while searching for a new starter. Names like Sam Montembeault and Jordan Binnington have surfaced as targets, according to Heavy Sports. Until the goalie spot is fixed, even Babcock's best coaching may not be enough.
Darnell Nurse Trade Request Signals Locker Room Tension
The Babcock hiring has already shaken the roster. Darnell Nurse has reportedly asked for a trade out of Edmonton, per Markerzone. Nurse carries a $9.25 million cap hit through 2030 — a number that has made him a constant target for fan criticism.
TSN analyst Jeff O'Neill has been sharp in his criticism of Bowman. "There are GMs in the National Hockey League that are getting away with murder," O'Neill said on TSN OverDrive, referring to job security despite poor results. If the 2026-27 season starts badly, Edmonton Journal noted that Bowman himself may not survive — leaving Babcock as the last man standing.
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