Edmonton Oilers superstar Leon Draisaitl supports the team's decision to hire Mike Babcock despite the coach's checkered past.
"I think he's just going to bring a different attitude and a different mentality to our group," Draisaitl said, according to NHL.com's Shawn P. Roarke. "I think it's exactly what we need right now. I think he's going to bring something different, a different look. Everyone's very excited about it and looking forward to working with him."
The Oilers' decision to hire Babcock drew plenty of backlash after his stint with the Columbus Blue Jackets ended unceremoniously. The Blue Jackets hired Babcock in 2023, but he resigned before coaching a game with the club after being accused of invading players' privacy. The NHL conducted an investigation after the Oilers expressed interest in hiring Babcock this offseason and ultimately cleared him to return to the league.
While Babcock hasn't coached in the NHL since 2019, his resume is impressive. He won the Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings in 2008 and Olympic gold medals with Team Canada in 2010 and 2014. Known as an old-school, hard-nosed coach, Babcock's approach is something Draisaitl believes the Oilers will benefit from, even if it means some verbal punishment his way.
"I think he's got a very clear plan, and I think he holds guys accountable, and I think to him, it's not about who it is when it comes to accountability, you know?" Draisaitl said. "Like, we're looking to be coached. We're looking to get better. And I sometimes deserve (to be yelled at) too, just like anyone else does. I don't think 'Babs' is going to care overly much who we are in terms of that. I think sometimes that's needed."
Walking the line could be key for Babcock, who's been accused of mistreating players. In 2019, Johan Franzen, who played for Babcock with the Red Wings from 2005-15, accused his former coach of verbal abuse that led to a mental breakdown, calling him "the worst person I have ever met." During his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Babcock had rookie Mitch Marner rank his teammates by work ethic, then shared the list with the rest of the team.
The Oilers made back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances with Kris Knoblauch behind the bench but fired him following a first-round exit this past season.
