They tell us not to worry. The thing about it is that as fans, all we have is our worry. Or our elation, our intrigue, or our unbridled rage. That’s why we’re fans — we don’t have anything to lose except this cavernous vessel of feelings, this glass case of emotion.

If the Edmonton Oilers hire Mike Babcock, then they’re the ones who will have to deal with the blowback.

And I doubt they care. If this is the move that helps them win, then great, go for it. If nothing else, Mike Babcock is guilty of being a bully and a product of an old-school coaching mentality that was built right here on the Prairies, from the University of Saskatchewan (and back again), through Lethbridge, Augustana University, and finally on a grand adventure throughout the continent.

He’s won the Stanley Cup, that is true. This made me think of the best coaching advice I ever received. Remember former Oilers assistant coach Rob Daum? I got to work closely with Daum in Edmonton for a year.

“Listen, Trevor,” he said.

“It’s Kelvin, actually.”

“Sure thing. Now listen, Trevor, the best coaches have the best players. Want to be a good coach? Get good players.”

Babcock has had some remarkable players to coach in his career. What has he learned from them? Does he understand why scratching Mike Modano in Game 1,500 wasn’t worth the hassle? If Modano does play that game, it’s not even a story — the coach’s name isn’t attached.

I’ve watched Mike Babcock furiously scribble notes from the back row at coaching conferences. I believe he’s a student of the game, and that’s why he’s always trying to get better. Has that been the case since he’s been away from the game at a professional level? That I do not know.

Babcock’s coaching style

This is another thing I don’t know. I don’t think I can deliver anything video-wise on coaching style. It’s been seven years since he coached in the NHL, and I’d have to watch every goal/breakout/forecheck/whatever, and what would that tell us? I watched every goal the University of Saskatchewan Huskies scored when he was behind the bench with his son, and that didn’t illuminate much either.

I’m also really frustrated by this. Do you know who has a keen knowledge of Babcock’s tactics, has won a Stanley Cup, has coached the same superstar players, and has credible recent knowledge on how to beat the Oilers? Former Red Wings assistant coach Jay Woodcroft.

So this post has to be worth something no matter what happens. I have to learn something from this, otherwise what kind of coach am I? Who do I want to be? I coach teenagers, and I want them to improve every day, but more importantly, I want them to become better humans because of the time spent with my program. I also believe that this focus on culture leads to wins. It’s why I write about Rod Brind’Amour and the Canes so much.

So anyways, if the Oilers win, then great. Coaches get too much blame when the team loses and not enough when they win. There are likely plenty of problem people in the league we know nothing about. In every league, for sure, but what we have right now in front of our faces is a reckoning pitting culture against results in the game in which we choose to invest our emotions. The funny thing is that you can have one if you focus on the other, but the reverse of that equation doesn’t work.

So if it’s Babcock, David Carle, or Jussi Ahokas, if the new coach wants to hold the players accountable and win in the playoffs, this is what it will look like.

Holding Oilers players accountable

Short Shifts

If you’re coasting to the bench at the end of a shift, you’ve either been out there too long, or you’re saying to your teammates you’re bigger than the game – things didn’t go your way? So what? Ditch the body language and try the next shift.
By the way, your next shift will come in about four minutes because everyone is going to play at five-on-five.

Contributions from everyone

McDavid and Draisaitl have both agreed that more players need to be involved for the Oilers to win. When the season starts in October, the fourth line should start the game. The coach will be new, but the players and the fans aren’t.
Playing on either of the special teams isn’t enough. Do you know who Carolina’s second line by ice time in the Stanley Cup Final is? Eric Robinson, Mark Jankowski, and William Carrier. This is their fourth line — two of the other three lines have been shuffled (Hall, Stankoven, and Blake have remained intact and have averaged 10:37 at even strength).

Roles

Every forward and defenceman needs a defined role. Play your first line in the offensive zone, your third line against the other team’s best players, and your fourth in the defensive zone. Whatever it is, carve out those roles, put players in the right spots, and let them breathe.
Empower these players — treat them with respect, prove to them you believe in their value as hockey players and human beings, and they’ll run through a wall for you.

Make Them Better

Teammates want each other to succeed. When the lights are on and the game is for real, the players will perform. Find extra time in practice and in the video room to find little improvements the players can put into action. It doesn’t have to be much, but it has to be something. Being a veteran in the NHL doesn’t mean the development stops.
This team has been dizzyingly close to winning it all, and they’ve fallen back to Earth. Hard. That means the sky is the limit. If you’re coaching a group of talented players like this and you feed off validation, then what an opportunity to prove to the world, but importantly, to yourself, that you’ve got what it takes.

Finally, ensure the players know that they and the coaches are on the same side. You want the same things. The players don’t need any more pressure from trying to guess what’s going to happen at practice every day. If you truly care about the players, then you’ll be welcome here.

If you don’t, it will be obvious quickly.

By the way, if I were choosing the Oilers’ next coach, it would be Rikard Grönborg. Read about him here and here.

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