Actions are what matters here. Learned today that he can talk the talk. Now he better walk the walk. – Kristopher Palmer via X

Seems like his wife and him have a lovely relationship. – Tyler Mulek via X

Babcock was not willing to acknowledge that he had any fault in any of his firings. That does not inspire a lot of confidence that he has actually learned anything. – Josh Andersen via X

I hate it even more than I did before the hiring was official. He hasn’t changed at all, and took zero responsibility for anything that happened. Not encouraged. – Michael Schoenhardt via X

He avoided a lot of questions. I like what he said about finding a role for depth players but we have heard that from a lot of recent coaches. – Oil Fan via X

The Oilers actually have a chance now to win a cup… the big boys finally got serious and brought in a pit bull. – TheSportsWhale via X

Babcock hasn’t changed on but it sounds like. He’s not owning anything from the past. But he says he will make everyone important feel important and have a role. He says he will give more minutes to other guys. Not just the top guys. I guess we have to wait and see if he’s just

talking s**t or he’s actually going to do what he says. I didn’t get a good vibe though. – JennaY95297 via X

I’ll never question Mike Babcock’s hockey knowledge or his previous accomplishments. I also won’t pretend to really know what his critics or supporters experienced with him. My fear as a fan is that hiring “yesterday’s man” rarely works. Maybe he’ll be an exception. – Shawn Mullin via X

He got off on the wrong foot in Columbus and his intentions were misinterpreted. He could see these were a bunch of drama Queens so he left. – kchalmers64 via Instagram

This is not what we wanted to hear at all. Does “telling the truth” involve asking a rookie to rate the rest of the players telling him “Don’t worry This’ll be between us” then turning around and telling the rest of the team anyways? Him basically saying, “I wasn’t being a dick, I was just being honest” Is the complete opposite of honesty, and tells us he’s learned nothing. What a joke. – dcjcans10 via Instagram

There was a lot of wisdom and honesty in that answer. He’s gonna make these boys work, and that’s ok, it’s hockey. – Joshnormanofficial via Instagram

I love his perspective on things, he’s going to be a great fit – stop hating b****s. – Carter_Stampey via Instagram

Silver tongue devil. Might be the first coach since MacT that can play the tough love game mind you. Be an interesting season. And an even better one if we can hoist Lord Stanley’s mug. – Kavin Joanette via Facebook

Weo!! Love this hiring, good old Sask boy who knows the game better than anyone commenting on these posts regarding him. He will flourish, people deserve a chance at redemption. To reconcile their mistakes. – Bryce Naytowhow via Facebook

Super excited for the upcoming season and what this coach can bring. Can’t be any worse than the Knob!!! GO OILERS GO – Lee-Ann Gaudette via Facebook

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