logo
OilersNation has no direct affiliation to the Edmonton Oilers, Oilers Entertainment Group, NHL, or NHLPA
Oilers Letters to the Editor: Fans split on potential Babcock hire
LTE 26 Letters to the Editor Mike Babcock
Photo credit: Photoshop by Tom Kostiuk
Zach Laing
Jun 21, 2026, 18:00 EDTUpdated: Jun 21, 2026, 15:44 EDT
Comments
It’s time to dig into this week’s Letters to the Editor. Want to join in the fun? Details about how to reach out are at the bottom of the article.

How can I support Babcock?

Dear Editor,
With the potential hiring of Mike Babcock, I am torn.
I am a believer in second chances, but I am also someone who has suffered from bullying in a professional environment.
I understand the trapped, anxious feeling, the nights lying awake, the self-doubt, the loneliness, the fear of being yourself, and the years of mental duress.
When a grown man says they are being bullied, people hear us, but rarely do they actually listen.
How can I support his hire?
Kay Dee
(You aren’t the only one wrestling with this hire.)

Hurt feelings are fine

While I understand the pushback on the hiring of Mike Babcock, I am losing patience with it.
Hockey players are ultra-competitive, high-performance, peak athletes who are paid a king’s ransom to play a game. While Babcock may be out of touch with the new generation, his resume is indisputable. This leadership core wants to win at all costs, and if Mike can take them there, then the price of some hurt feelings suits me just fine. This city deserves champions, not proud participation award recipients.
Copper and Blue forever.
Jesse from Fort Saskatchewan
(Calling it “hurt feelings” is an injustice to what Babcock has done in the past.)
Oilersnation wants to hear from you, the reader, in our new weekly “Letters to the Editor” segment. Letters can be emailed to Oilersnation’s managing editor Zach Laing (zach.laing@bettercollective.com), titled “Letters to the Editor.” Please include a letter up to 200 words, including your name, place of residence (city, town, province, or state). Your letters may be edited for length and/or clarity. Letters must be submitted by 6 p.m. MT Saturday night to be considered for feature on Sunday mornings.
Zach Laing is Oilersnation’s managing editor and The Nation Network’s news director. He can be followed on X at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach.laing@bettercollective.com.

PRESENTED BY THE DAILY FACEOFF FREE AGENCY SPECIAL

Daily Faceoff is your Free Agency Headquarters! Big moves. Breaking news. Instant analysis. Daily Faceoff is bringing the team together July 1st for a live Free Agency Special featuring Jeff Marek, Tyler Yaremchuk, Carter Hutton, and Dave Pagnotta. Tune in at noon ET on the Daily Faceoff YouTube Channel and socials for full coverage as the NHL landscape changes. WATCH LIVE!
Letters to the Editor
MORE NEWS. IN YOUR INBOX.
CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Breaking News