Oilers players share first thoughts on Babcock-to-Edmonton rumours
The Edmonton Oilers appear to be on the precipice of hiring Mike Babcock as the team’s next head coach, but how do the players feel?
It’s been well-reported that the Babcock hiring has gotten the approval of Connor McDavid and some of the other members of the Oilers leadership group. The veteran head coach reportedly met up with players in person, and they came away impressed with Babcock.
What we haven’t heard is any Oilers player say anything publicly about the possibility of playing under such a controversial coach. That is, until Monday afternoon, when both Jason Dickinson and Connor Murphy met with Edmonton media to discuss their recent contract extensions.
One of the first questions they faced was on the rumours of Babcock being hired in Edmonton and how they felt about it.
“If he’s reinstated by the league, then he’s welcome to coach in the league, and there’s no concerns about that,” Dickinson said. “It’s exciting that it’s a possibility. He has a great track record, he’s won some big tournaments for Canada, and he’s done well for himself.”
"With the high-end talent & the ceiling of what the team is capable of… It made that excitement feel like a top priority to keep it going." #Oilers Connor Murphy & Jason Dickinson spoke with the media after signing five-year contract extensions.@Enterprise | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/clGmH59Bl7
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) June 22, 2026
Both Dickinson and Murphy are expected to play key roles down the lineup for the Oilers this upcoming season. The expectation is that Dickinson will slot in as the team’s third-line centre, while Murphy will hold things down on the second-pairing.
A lot of Babcock’s detractors have brought up his tendency to pick on players lower down the depth chart rather than the star players. It would appear that both Dickinson and Murphy could wind up in Babcock’s crosshairs if that continues to be the case in Edmonton.
Murphy didn’t seem too concerned about the team’s ability to handle a hard-nosed coach like Babcock.
“Being more of a veteran group and a very mature group, I feel like whatever coach comes in and whatever they try to implement, accountability-wise or structure-wise, or discipline, I think guys will handle it, and I think guys really want to be coached,” Murphy said.
“Anything that’s thrown this team’s way, I think they’re really gonna grasp it and try to get the best of each other with whatever is given.”
As of Monday afternoon, Babcock has still not been officially hired by the Oilers, but there is an expectation that it could come at any moment. When it does get announced, it will be interesting to see if any more players publicly comment on his arrival.