The Edmonton Oilers core players have repeatedly stated they are excited to play under Mike Babcock as he gets set for his first stint behind an NHL bench since 2019.
Oilers star Leon Draisaitl told NHL.com at the European Player Media Tour that he is ready to be held accountable by his new head coach.
“I think he’s got a very clear plan, and I think he holds guys accountable, and I think to him, it’s not about who it is when it comes to accountability, you know?” Draisaitl said. “Like, we’re looking to be coached. We’re looking to get better. and I sometimes deserve (to be yelled at) too, just like anyone else does. I don’t think ‘Babs’ is going to care overly much who we are in terms of that. I think sometimes that’s needed.”
Babcock was last hired as a head coach by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023 but resigned prior to the season after a report from the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast indicated he asked players to share personal photos from their mobile devices.
The NHL and NHLPA conducted investigations of Babcock, and he was cleared in June. After extensive interviews with Oilers management and the leadership group within the team’s dressing room, the Oilers decided to hire Babcock.
Edmonton reached the Stanley Cup Final in both 2024 and 2025 but were inconsistent last season. The team finished second in the Pacific Division with a 41-30-11 record but were eliminated by the Anaheim Ducks in six games during the opening round.
Draisaitl told NHL.com that the Oilers “never really found what we were as a group” during the campaign last season and were further derailed by injuries in the postseason.
The 30-year-old German centre said he has spoken to Babcock multiple times this summer as the Oilers look to reset for another deep playoff run.
“I think he’s just going to bring a different attitude and a different mentality to our group,” Draisaitl added. “I think it’s exactly what we need right now. I think he’s going to bring something different, a different look. Everyone’s very excited about it and looking forward to working with him.”
Draisaitl will also looking to bounce back after a down year by his lofty standards, having finished with 35 goals and 97 points while being limited to 65 games. Selected third overall in 2014, Draisaitl averaged 50 goals per year over the previous four seasons and topped 105 points in all of those campaigns.
The addition of Babcock headlines the Oilers off-season, but the team also made key changes on the ice, notably having moved out veteran defenceman Darnell Nurse and bringing in goaltender Frederik Andersen, who helped backstop the Carolina Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup in June.
“It’s a change, got some new faces,” Draisaitl said of the moves. “Some guys that have been there for a long time unfortunately left. Sometimes, change is needed and for both sides. I’m excited and looking forward to for the year.”
Edmonton will open their preseason on Sept. 19 against the Winnipeg Jets and kickoff their regular season on Sept. 29 against the Vancouver Canucks.
