McDavid approved? Oilers top players backing Babcock as next head coach
It’s sounding more and more like Mike Babcock will be the next head coach of the Edmonton Oilers.
Shortly after it was reported that Edmonton was interested in the 63-year-old coach, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman confirmed that Babcock had already met with Oilers owner Daryl Katz and key members of the team’s leadership group.
Babcock hasn’t coached an NHL game since 2019 and has been plagued by accusations of mistreating players, causing some concern that this move could alienate Edmonton’s top players. That, however, does not appear to be the case.
According to TSN’s Ryan Rishaug, the Oilers’ leadership group seems to be on board with hiring Babcock to be their next head coach, and that includes captain Connor McDavid.
“Sounds like the Oilers’ leadership group is firmly behind the Oilers going down this path,” Rishaug reported. “Babcock did meet with them to discuss things… It’s a critical time within this organization, and it would seem they feel whatever negative publicity may result from this is trumped by the level of urgency to get over the hurdle and win a cup.
“Katz hasn’t hesitated to make these types of moves in the past.”
Sounds like the Oiler leadership group is firmly behind the Oilers going down this path. Babcock did meet with them to discuss things.
Itās a critical time within this organization and it would seem they feel whatever negative publicity may result from this is trumped by theā¦
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) June 8, 2026
That is a big deal, as one of the main concerns about hiring Babcock is how he and the players will get along. The veteran coach has an extensive history of being a very demanding person to play for, and he has crossed the line a number of times.
Most recently, Babcock was hired as head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023, but had to resign before coaching a single game after reports broke that he made players give up their phones so he could browse through them.
The big fear is that Babcock comes into Edmonton and continues this trend of overstepping boundaries and causing friction between him and the players. That is especially important for the Oilers this upcoming season, as McDavid will be eligible to sign another extension as soon as next summer.
If Babcock rubs McDavid the wrong way, it could put the captain’s long-term future with the organization in jeopardy. If he gave Babcock the stamp of approval, that should quell some fears for now.
Things could, of course, change once the season gets underway and Babcock is coaching games.
There is work that has to be done before the Oilers officially bring Babcock aboard, as both the NHL and NHLPA need to sign off on the move. There could be some pending investigations into Babcock’s past that could muddy the waters.
The Oilers want Babcock to be their next head coach, and the players seem ready to play for him.