Stan Bowman thinks the Edmonton Oilers‘ top players were playing too much last season. That was one of the reasons he liked the conversations with Mike Babcock when going through their hiring process.

With Babcock now officially the head coach, the Oilers are looking to give depth players more ownership of the game during the season by having roles they can grow into.

Those mirror Bowman’s words back in March at the Trade Deadline, talking about acquiring Jason Dickinson and Connor Murphy, instead of “sexier” choices with higher offensive skill. He felt the defensive side of the puck was being neglected and these veterans, who knew their identities as players, would help the Oilers become more of a “team.”

Both just re-signed in Edmonton on five-year contracts.

That could be part of the reason Edmonton fired Kris Knoblauch, especially with how free agent depth pieces like Andrew Mangiapane and Trent Frederic couldn’t get footing in the lineup.

Babcock spoke of organizational “alignment” during his comments in the press conference, particularly about his meetings with Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman, as well as with management and ownership.

With the team’s best players on board to be coached Babcock’s way, there’s likely going to be a change in how much the team’s superstars play on a night-to-night basis. That could mean McDavid playing less on the penalty kill, or the first power play unit changing.

Babcock said they’re “all-in” on doing what it takes.

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