Mike Babcock believes Colton Dach can become a home run for the Oilers if he builds his game the way Zach Hyman did.
“What I liked about it, he came back the other night, suddenly we had another line, we had size,” Babcock said, via Bleed Oil Blue.
“Well, if you want to work on your game like Zach Hyman and Podkolzin, they work harder than anybody in hockey.”
“So that's the first thing you need, and then you gotta play a heavy game. And if we could end up with a third guy like that, that'd be a home run for us.”
The coach said Dach told him early on that he wanted to model his game after the veteran forward.
It's a smart way to coach a young player. Give him a blueprint he picked himself, then hold him to it every single day.
It's like a young carpenter learning the trade from the two hardest workers on the job site. He'll either pick it up fast or get exposed.
Oilers coach Mike Babcock hopes Colton Dach can be a “home run” for Edmonton.
" What I liked about it, he came back the other night, suddenly we had another line, we had size. So, for Dach, in my mind you know, he said it early, so I'm just gonna keep using it with him he wanted to work on his game like Zach Hyman.
Well, if you want to work on your game like Zach Hyman and Podkolzin, they work harder than anybody in hockey.
So that's the first thing you need, and then you gotta play a heavy game. And if we could end up with a third guy like that, that'd be a home run for us.”
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Mike Babcock sees a potential home run in Oilers forward Colton Dach
Dach is still looking for his first point, sitting at -4 through four games.
He carries a $1,200,000 cap hit this season.
Jason Gregor had reported he was very likely to return from injured reserve before Saturday's win in Utah.
Hyman, 34, scored on the power play in his own return that night.
He has played just twice this season after missing time early.
Vasily Podkolzin has 7 goals and a +12 rating this season.
He also owns 2 game-winners.
Babcock has already told his depth players they have to earn the puck.
Connor McDavid leads the team with 23 points, and more depth would mean fewer heavy minutes for him.
Edmonton is 6-1-1 and hosts Minnesota tonight to open a homestand.
Can Dach turn that blueprint into points before the Oilers go shopping for help?
Babcock has handed him the map. Now it's up to the 23-year-old to follow it, one heavy shift at a time.
Can Colton Dach become the next Zach Hyman for the Oilers?
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