Isaac Howard and Edmonton's depth forwards have received a pointed message from head coach Mike Babcock about what it takes to earn offensive opportunities.
The Edmonton Oilers coach isn't satisfied with players waiting for scoring chances to appear. He wants his bottom-six forwards winning battles, extending possessions and doing the difficult work that creates offence.
Babcock delivered that message during a media availability, making it clear that effort away from the puck matters just as much as what happens with it.
"That's what we're trying to do, and I think that's a great question. I think when you watch it, you're seeing one and done, one and done, one and done."
He continued: "You can't be one and done. You got to be heavy. And the hardest thing about the National Hockey League is no one lets you have the puck, and you're a young guy, you come in the league, you want to have the puck."
Babcock's frustration reflects Oilers offensive issues
His frustration reflects Edmonton's ongoing challenge of generating offence beyond Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. With injuries affecting the forward group, secondary contributions have become even more important.
Babcock wasn't finished. His next remarks were even more direct about the type of hockey he expects from players looking to establish themselves.
"We're not giving it to you. You got to earn it. So you got to win races. You got to win battles. Your stick's got to be a crowbar."
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He finished with another pointed message: "Every time you have a chance, you have to win that battle and check it back in the O-zone, and that's the fun zone. D-zone's the work zone. Hang out in the fun zone."
For Howard and other younger forwards, that message carries weight. Offensive skill alone won't guarantee more responsibility under Babcock.
The coach is demanding sustained offensive-zone pressure rather than quick possessions ending with turnovers or harmless shots.
That also puts experienced depth players under scrutiny. Edmonton can't depend on its biggest names to manufacture every meaningful scoring opportunity.
Babcock hasn't announced a benching through these comments, but his standards are unmistakable. Players who want more ice time must first demonstrate they can win possession and keep it.
For Edmonton's struggling depth forwards, the message is clear: earn the puck before expecting the rewards.
Should Mike Babcock start scratching Oilers forwards who aren't winning enough puck battles?
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