The Edmonton oilers entered the 2025-26 campaign under a cloud of controversy. Mike Babcock was appointed head coach despite a turbulent exit from the Columbus Blue Jackets and a league-wide investigation that only cleared him to work after the NHL concluded its review. The move immediately sparked a public outcry, highlighted by former Oilers great Mark Messier proclaiming he was “horrified” by the decision.
While the headlines focused on the coach’s past, the Oilers used the distraction to keep the spotlight off the locker room. Veteran winger Zach Hyman said the players could concentrate on Babcock’s new system—one that emphasizes speed, precise positioning, and relentless effort—without worrying about the surrounding noise.
Babcock’s rocky path to Edmonton
Mike Babcock’s résumé includes a Stanley Cup win, but his most recent stint ended abruptly. Hired by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023, he resigned less than three months later after demanding personal photos from players, a request that many described as a privacy breach. The NHL’s investigation cleared him, allowing the Oilers to bring him aboard for the first time since November.
Messier’s reaction was unequivocal. In a media call previewing ESPN’s opening-night coverage, he said he was “absolutely shocked” and reiterated that the way players were involved in the hiring process was “something I’ve never heard before.” His comments echoed a broader sentiment among former players that coaching appointments should remain a front-office matter.
Free-agent signing fuels fan unrest
The controversy did not stop with the coach. Edmonton’s decision to sign forward Alex Formenton triggered a wave of protest. The player, one of five members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior team acquitted of sexual-assault charges, attracted a petition that surpassed 70,000 signatures. Demonstrators gathered outside Rogers Place before the first preseason game, demanding the deal be rescinded.
Team management defended the acquisition, pointing to thorough due-diligence and noting that both the NHL and Hockey Canada have reinstated Formenton. He justified the organization’s stance by highlighting his early impact: a goal in a 5-2 preseason win over Winnipeg that demonstrated the speed that made him a valuable NHL forward before the scandal surfaced.
Roster overhaul and early season struggles
Beyond the off-ice drama, the Oilers reshaped their roster significantly. The goaltending core was overhauled at the start of the 2025-26 season, swapping out Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard for Frederik AndersenTristan Jarry and Devon Levi. Andersen, however, remains sidelined with a knee injury sustained in last spring’s playoffs, limiting his availability for the opening stretch.
Defensive puzzle
Defensively, Edmonton allowed an average of 3.23 goals per game last season, ranking 25th in the league. The departure of veteran Darnell Nurse to San Jose and the continued presence of Evan Bouchard place pressure on head coach Babcock to rearrange the blue line. Ten seasoned NHL defensemen now compete for six to seven spots, with questions about partner pairings for 36-year-old Mattias Ekholm and the role of newcomers Ryan Shea and Shakir Mukhamadullin. Defenseman Jake Walman expressed optimism, noting the group’s versatility and readiness to blend different styles.
Offensive balance
Offensively, the Oilers still rely on the dynamic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Babcock faces an early decision: keep the pair together on a single line—likely alongside Vasily Podkolzin—or split them to spread talent across lines. McDavid emphasized the need for broader involvement, stating, “We want more guys involved and that includes giving guys more ice time.” Hyman added that the new system demands relentless effort: “When you’re out there you play our style of hockey … it’s fast, no resting.”
General manager Stan Bowman underscored the urgency of a strong start, noting the Oilers opened the previous season at 11-10-5 by the end of November and missed the playoffs despite a 41-30-11 record the year before. He said the summer gave players extra time to be “physically and mentally ready,” and he expects an improvement over the sluggish start that plagued the team.
With key pieces missing—Andersen’s injury, the absence of Alex RegulaMatt Savoie and Mattias Janmark—the Oilers must rely on depth players to fill the gaps. The coaching staff’s emphasis on a high-tempo, detail-driven system aims to make every shift count, a mantra echoed by both veterans and newcomers as they head into the regular season.
