Leon Draisaitl has sent Mike Babcock a direct message: Edmonton's stars want to be coached hard, and nobody gets special treatment.
The Oilers' leadership group met with Babcock before Edmonton hired him, giving both sides a chance to address expectations and his return behind an NHL bench.
Draisaitl said the conversation quickly convinced the group that Babcock could give Edmonton the demanding approach its leaders were looking for.
"It was pretty clear pretty quick that he could be our guy," Draisaitl said.
The bigger message wasn't about Babcock's résumé. Draisaitl made it clear he wants accountability reaching Edmonton's biggest names, including himself and Connor McDavid.
"We're looking to be coached. We're looking to get better." That's a straightforward request from a player carrying major responsibility inside Edmonton's locker room.
Draisaitl wants Babcock to challenge Edmonton's stars
Draisaitl even acknowledged there will be moments when Babcock needs to get on him. He isn't asking Edmonton's new coach to protect its stars from criticism.
"I sometimes deserve to be yelled at too, just like anyone else does," Draisaitl said.
That sets a clear expectation before training camp. If Babcock sees something he doesn't like from Edmonton's top six or leadership group, Draisaitl wants him addressing it rather than looking the other way.
The comments carry more weight after Edmonton went 41-30-11 last season and struggled to establish the identity Draisaitl believed strong teams develop across a full schedule.
"We never really found what we were as a group," he said.
Draisaitl also wants more players to take ownership throughout the lineup. With a new coach behind the bench, roles can change and opportunities will be available beyond Edmonton's established stars.
"Just need everybody to find some roles that they take really big pride in."
For Babcock, the message from one of Edmonton's leaders couldn't be much clearer. Draisaitl isn't asking for comfortable treatment. He's asking Babcock to coach the entire room, stars included, and make accountability part of Edmonton's identity.
Should Mike Babcock be just as demanding with Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid as everyone else?
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