Connor McDavid Backs Mike Babcock: “This Is What We Want”

The Edmonton Oilers’ decision to hire — and quite frankly even consider hiring — Mike Babcock has drawn major scrutiny for a number of different reasons.

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One of the many questions that has come up along the way is how does Connor McDavid feel about Babcock being the man to take over during what projects to be the most important years of his career as an Oiler.

Reports have all suggested that McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and the rest of the core group in Edmonton are on board with Babcock, and when speaking for the first time on Wednesday, the captain emphasized that in a big way.

McDavid said:

“I know (Babcock) alluded to the fact that it’s easy to say in June — and it is easy to say in June. It might be a little bit different when it’s November. But we’ve all agreed that this is what we want. This is what we’re looking for. I don’t plan on having that happen to me very much. But when it does, it’ll be deserved, and we’ll move forward, and we’ll learn from it.

It’s time to have that happen in Edmonton. It’s time. I’m excited about that challenge to be pushed by a coach. because it’s been a really long time in Edmonton… The definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different result. Babs is different. He gives us a different personality, a different approach to our group, and an approach that we’ve probably have never had. We’ve tried it the same way for a really long time. Let’s try it different,”

The 29-year-old McDavid is, of course, about to enter the 2026-27 season starting the two-year, $25 million extension he signed with the Oilers in October.

McDavid being fully on board with the Babcock hire doesn’t guarantee success, but it does show how willing he is to try anything and everything in hopes of finally bringing a Stanley Cup back to Edmonton.

This could turn out well — or it could blow up in everyone’s face. That’s what makes it so interesting, and why the hockey world will be watching the Oilers closely moving forward.

Next: Alex Tuch Sign-and-Trade to the Capitals Confirmed