A Theme From This Season’s Oilers: We’ve Been Here Before… Sort of

When Dallas Eakins came in to coach the Edmonton Oilers, he was known for one thing: intense fitness and strict conditioning rules. While the idea was great in theory, the messaging didn’t go over well with the group that played on that team from 2013 to 2014. It became such a storyline that you could argue his rigid style ultimately did him in.

Fast forward 12 years, and a similar theme surfaces as the Oilers arrive for training camp ahead of the 2025-26 season. To a man, every player who took the podium on the first day of media avails said the same thing: this Oilers team needs to be faster, in better condition, and ready to play a quicker game. The GM said it too. This season’s head coach, Mike Babcock, is bringing a habit-forming approach, in some ways different, but in some ways the same as Eakins.

The difference is the pedigree Babcock brings. He’s one of the winningest coaches in hockey, and he commands respect as someone who has been there and done that. His resume—despite his polarizing last few years—speaks for itself. Eakins’ resume did not. The similarities revolve around better conditioning and better habits.

Stan Bowman spoke to the press on Wednesday and said, “This is such a fast game that you have to be able to play on instinct.” He added, “And I think Mike’s strength is to instill those habits in our team so that the guys understand exactly what their role is, what the other four guys on the ice are doing, so that they can play fast.”

That’s another key difference. Eakins focused on cardio, fitness levels, metrics, and nutrition. Babcock wants this Oilers team to play quick, pressure more, and do it so often that it becomes second nature. “We want to be fast and quick, and we all got to be in good condition to do that,” Bowman said.

The Oilers Are Already Buying In

Early signs show this team has bought in far more than Eakins’ group ever did. Jake Walman looked slimmer and healthier. He noted that Babcock has already stressed the importance of getting in better shape over the summer. “We want to be fast and quick, and we all got to be in good condition to do that,” he said.

Expect the Oilers to smell what Babcock is cooking and come out of the gates hot. Shifts will be shorter, the bench stretched to include more players, and rest periods used to get the most out of the entire team.

Babcock’s idea is not all that different from what Eakins tried to mandate. The difference is messaging, experience, and execution.

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