Put other issues aside for moment... Mike Babcock hasn't made the finals in 17 years and hasn't been in the 2nd round of the playoffs in 13 years. My daughter wasn't alive the last time he had a team in the 2nd round.
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‘Get McDavid outta there’: Oilers fans react to potential Mike Babcock hire
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Canucks fans are rejoicing, Flames fans can’t believe it’s happening, and Oilers fans are ready to declare a state of emergency over the Edmonton Oilers’ consideration of Mike Babcock as its next head coach.
Babcock was first mentioned as an option for the job in late May and now, a few weeks later, news began to spill. NHL insiders like Darren Dreger and Elliotte Friedman posted the information online, and NHL media and fans reacted instantly on social media to the relationship beginning to form between Babcock and the Oilers.
Sorry, but winning the Cup in 2008 isn’t enough of a reason to hire Babcock. Even if you overlook his actions towards some of his players, his record of no playoff series win since 2013 further illustrates why it would be a horrible decision for the Oilers. – Jason Gregor via X
Babcock would be a good way of making sure 29 and 97 aren't running the show, which may have been a problem in the past. He's also a decade removed from coaching and seems evil. I guess we'll see.
This organization just cannot get out of its own way. – Kevin McCurdy via XGet McDavid outta there man, Bowman is off his rocker. – HFTV via XIf this team is even *thinking* of hiring Babcock, it shows a fundamentally massive flaw within this organization’s thought process that’s not going to be fixed anytime soon. – NHL_Sid via XThe dying star of mcdavid’s prime years comes down to stan bowman and mike babcock, incredible stuff. – @domluszczyszyn via XWith essentially a one-year McDavid window, the Oilers hiring a guy who hasn’t coached an NHL game in 7 years and got fired from his last job before even stepping behind the bench would legitimately be one of the most insane management decisions of all time. – Pete Blackburn via XPlease request a trade Connor please you dont deserve this – Shae_Nuge93 via X
There aren’t many positive thoughts about this move. As much as I’d love to dig for them, the consensus is that this isn’t the right hire for the Oilers, especially given what is at stake over the next two years, with Connor McDavid’s extension kicking in at the start of the 2026-27 season.
This is like that Simpsons episode where Homer got his legs stuck in the tar pit and was going to use his hands to free his legs and then his face to free his hands. – Scchrist via InstagramThe recycling of head coaches who have had major issues in their tenure as a coach needs to stop. Plenty of other choices. – Nolan.Fryer via InstagramIf they hire Babcock, then this is not a serious franchise. – R0gerL0pez via InstagramHe doesn’t seem like that great of a person, but boy can he coach. He’s exactly what this team needs imo. A tough hard nosed, no BS coach who WILL hold you accountable no matter where you sit on the depth chart. So I’m all for this. If coach Q can get reinstated (turned ducks into a contender on day 1), why not Babs? – Todd Rieth via FacebookAnd Bowman is just going to rip up mcdavids contract so he can go to free agency in 3 weeks then to get it over with? – Shane C Fraser via FacebookIs he the one year wonder they’re looking for before getting Cassidy? Hyman played for him. He must have been consulted by Bowman, along with McDavid, Draisaitl, and Ekholm before going down this road. Bowman couldn’t be dumb enough to not check with those guys on the team at the very least. – Mike Levicki via Facebook
Over on Facebook, a few fans are open to the idea, but the broader hockey world views it as a decision that will set the Edmonton Oilers back.
Mike Babcock, who’s won before and brings gravitas to the bench, could be the man, considering Vegas is still holding back the Oilers’ main target in Bruce Cassidy. But until the Oilers officially hire their 19th head coach in franchise history, this is another chapter in the ongoing saga.
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