Oilers make another major change behind the bench: Stan Bowman's receiving big praise

Misha Donskov is joining Mike Babcock and the Edmonton Oilers in a significant change to the club's coaching setup.

Edmonton announced Thursday that Donskov has been added as a coaching consultant, giving Babcock another voice around a team entering the new season with massive expectations.

This isn't a standard full-time assistant coaching hire. Donskov will spend selected days with the Oilers at home each month while maintaining his Hockey Canada responsibilities.

That distinction makes the move interesting. Edmonton isn't simply adding another coach to stand behind the bench every night. The Oilers are bringing in an outside perspective that can challenge routines and provide another set of eyes.

Babcock already represents a major change for Edmonton after taking over as head coach on June 23. Donskov now gives his staff another experienced hockey mind before training camp.

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For a team built to chase the Stanley Cup, small coaching details matter. Preparation, communication, player usage and adjustments can all become pressure points once the schedule gets heavy.

Edmonton adds another voice around Babcock

The timing stands out because this is Babcock's first season running the Oilers bench. Adding Donskov now gives Edmonton a chance to shape its coaching structure before habits are set.

Donskov's role also creates a different dynamic than hiring another permanent assistant. He can enter the room, evaluate what Edmonton is doing and offer feedback without carrying the exact same daily responsibilities.

That can be valuable on a veteran roster. The Oilers don't need another sweeping reset. They need details tightened and decisions sharpened when games turn on one matchup, one shift or one special-teams sequence.

There's also pressure attached to every move Edmonton makes. Expectations around this group leave little room for an ordinary season, and the coaching staff will be judged on how well it pushes an established core.

Babcock now has another resource available as he puts his stamp on the club. That matters before puck drop because Edmonton's biggest changes may come in deployment, structure and accountability rather than personnel.

Donskov won't be behind the bench every night, but his influence could still show up in the decisions made there.

For the Oilers, that makes this more than a minor staff addition. It's another deliberate adjustment around Babcock before the season starts.

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