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Edmonton Oilers coach Mike Babcock flips the script on reporter in funny exchange

Colton Pankiw
Colton Pankiw
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Oct 15 2026, 4:07 pm
Edmonton Oilers coach Mike Babcock flips the script on reporter in funny exchange
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The Edmonton Oilers’ 5-0-1 start to the season has everybody feeling pretty good, including head coach Mike Babcock.

The early days of the controversial coach’s tenure have gone about as well as the Oilers could have hoped, as Edmonton remains the only team in the NHL yet to lose in regulation. In other words, so far, so good.

Oilers fans had plenty of reasons to be concerned about Babcock’s hiring during the offseason, given his well-documented treatment of former players and staff. Many wondered what kind of personality Edmonton would be getting behind the bench, but Babcock has been surprisingly playful with the media and appears to be enjoying himself.

That was on full display following the Oilers’ win over the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday night. Rather than simply answering questions from rinkside host Paige Martin, Babcock turned the tables and started asking her questions in a fun exchange.

“Highlight was interviewing Mike, I would say he gave a bunch of great answers,” Martin said to a laughing Babcock.

Of course, it’s much easier to keep things light when your team is winning. The real test for Babcock will come when the Oilers inevitably hit a rough patch, as every NHL team does at some point throughout the regular season.

For now, though, Edmonton’s start has given fans plenty to feel good about, both on the ice and in the early interactions with their new head coach. Whether Babcock can maintain that same lighthearted approach when things get tougher remains to be seen.

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