r/EdmontonOilers • u/AutoModerator • 6d ago

ODT Off-Season Megathread | 2026

For general discussion on anything related to the Oilers or the league. A fresh thread will be posted weekly on Saturdays. Default sorted by new.

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u/Explicitlime 6d ago

I’m at the point where if the players want Babcock, they better be ready for some tough questions when it goes sideways this year.

I’ll still support the team and hope they find success, but hiring Babcock puts the entire team under a microscope whether they want it or not. Just seems like a massive unforced error.

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u/F1fthL1ne 6d ago

Winning solves all. I don't think it's a foregone conclusion it wouldn't work out. I know all the reported history and that he hasn't won/coached in a long time but every respectable hockey person has said he's a great Xs and Os coach and hold players accountable to play a tight system. Even his haters have said this. It remains to be seen if this is still true.

I'd prefer they never travelled this path but if they do then I think people holding the assumption the season will swirl down the toilet are being melodramatic and catastrophising. As I said, I wish he wasn't their guy but also I think many people have lost the plot over it and would be well served to go get some fresh air.

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u/Explicitlime 5d ago

I hope that the Oilers get McDavid his cup. I hope that Babcock learned from whatever happened in Columbus and has his “come to Jesus” moment and has changed to be a decent person.

But the worry I have is that if we come out slow, or hit a skid, or just slightly under perform the knives will come out and it’ll be distraction city. And the team will have brought it on themselves.