Mike Babcock laid out exactly how he plans to lean on Edmonton's veteran core.
Babcock replaced Kris Knoblauch this offseason, the coach who had led Edmonton to consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearances before last year's step back.
Knoblauch was let go along with assistant coach Mark Stuart, with Babcock and D.J. Smith brought in to replace them.
Speaking on the Jake's Takes podcast, Babcock named the specific veterans he's counting on to help set the tone in the room.
"We got veteran guys that are going to have a voice," Babcock said. "Ekholm, he's been around forever, he's a man, he's not shy."
"Nuge's been around forever, they know, not shy. Hyman knows, not shy. Draisaitl and McDavid aren't kids, they know," he added.
"They're not scared of any coach. They're sharing their thoughts with you and I'm sharing my thoughts with them," Babcock said.
Mike Babcock sends massive message to McDavid, Draisaitl and the Oilers
Babcock also singled out goaltender Frederik Andersen, signed away from the Stanley Cup winning Carolina Hurricanes on a one-year deal.
"Freddy Andersen's a man. He's a good human being," Babcock said, a relationship built from their years together in Toronto.
Zach Hyman, who also played under Babcock with the Maple Leafs, offered his own detailed take on what makes the approach work.
"There is no gray, it's very black and white and you're held accountable," Hyman said. "If you don't do something, it will be shown on video the next day."
It's the coaching equivalent of a new manager keeping the most respected senior staff in place instead of clearing house, betting their credibility helps the message land faster.
Hyman also credited the support staff around Babcock, specifically D.J. Smith and assistant Paul McFarland, both of whom worked with him in Toronto previously.
"They know his style and if there's anything, they know when to step in and know how to help Babs with whatever he needs," Hyman said.
Is that kind of accountability actually what a veteran-heavy roster wants, or does it wear thin once results don't come immediately?
My take: a demanding coach surrounded by people who can push back on him is a genuinely different setup than his past stops, and it shows in how his own players talk about him.
Camp is close, and this specific vision, veterans with real voices, total accountability, gets tested the moment games actually start counting.
Source : Mike Babcock Sends Strong Message About Oilers' Biggest Stars
Do you buy into Mike Babcock's plan for the Oilers' veteran leaders?
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