Babcock was behind surprising Edmonton Oilers coaching hire
The Edmonton Oilers caught more than a few people off guard with a surprising hire last week.
With training camp just weeks away, the Oilers announced last Thursday that the team had added Misha Donskov to the organization as a coaching consultant. The 49-year-old veteran coach has spent a decent amount of time working in the NHL, working as an associate coach for the Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights over the past several seasons.
The #Oilers have announced that @HockeyCanada's Misha Donskov will be joining the club as a coaching consultant. https://t.co/w4Dpwioley
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) August 27, 2026
Currently, Donskov is the acting head coach of the Canadian men’s national hockey team, heading up the bench for Canada at the latest IIHF World Championship and the upcoming World Juniors, set to be held in Edmonton and Red Deer this winter.
Additionally, he’s considered to be an up-and-coming NHL head coach who could eventually make that jump sooner rather than later.
It’s an interesting hire, and one you don’t normally see in the NHL these days. GM Stan Bowman revealed on Tuesday’s edition of OilersNow with Bob Stauffer why the team opted to bring him on board in this unique role.
New Oilers head coach Mike Babcock was apparently at the centre of the decision.
“I didn’t know Misha, but Mike had worked with him before,” Bowman said. “[Babcock] raved about his insight and his value, and how he thought he could really bring something to our group even on a smaller role.”
Donskov will not be an official member of the Oilers coaching staff this season. Babcock will be joined on the Edmonton bench by assistants DJ Smith and Paul MacFarland. Instead, it appears that the Hockey Canada bench boss will merely provide insight to the coaching staff to help improve the team’s on-ice play.
Bowman seemed excited to see how Donskov can help the Oilers.
“He’s still going to be playing an important role with our group,” Bowman said. “I’m excited about it. I got to know him, spent some time with him at the Hlinka. I really think he’s got some great ideas and he’s got some great experience.
“It’s a little different, but sometimes with new ideas you break through and really get a benefit out of it. That’s what we’re hoping.”
There was some speculation that this could be a stepping stone to Donskov eventually taking over the head coaching reins from Babcock down the line. The term on Babcock’s current deal has not been publicly disclosed, and Donskov could potentially make sense as an eventual successor.
However, there has been no indication from the team that this is where this is headed.
Donskov’s addition continues what has been a transformative season for the Oilers coaching group. Only time will tell if it will pay off the way that Edmonton hopes it does.