Babcock’s Coaching Success Could Be Thanks to One Critical Hire By the Oilers

According to Allan Mitchell of The Athletic, it won’t be Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, or Evan Bouchard who are the keys to success for Mike Babcock in Edmonton. No, that distinction goes to associate coach D.J. Smith, who was hired alongside Babcock and expected to be the veteran coach who keeps Babcock in line.

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Mitchell writes, “Associate coach D.J. Smith will no doubt be tasked with the job of questioning Babcock’s wayward decisions. Even the best (or especially the best) NHL coaches have massive stubborn streaks, and that may factor in during this season.”He adds that Smith may be key to Babcock’s coaching success in Edmonton, especially if Babcock starts to veer in a troublesome direction.

Chris Johnston of The Athletic wrote in his own column, “The risk in this equation is tied to the possibility Babcock again goes too far, the way everyone from Mitch Marner to Johan Franzen to Mike Commodore believe he did in the past.” Leon Draisaitl said the leadership group grilled their new coach before hiring him. He said the meetings went well and noted, “It was pretty clear pretty quick that he could be our guy.”

That doesn’t mean this entire season will be smooth sailing. That’s where Smith comes in.

The Oilers want to be pushed. They feel a need to held more accountable. However, the issue with Babcock is that he’s pushed things too far. The question becomes, when does that same leadership group push back? They won’t have to if Smith steps in.

Anytime that Babcock walks that line and looks like he may be stepping over it, Smith should and will be there. His job isn’t just to run certain systems. It’s to be a buffer, maybe even a shield. Smith is the go-between to let Babcock know he’s teetering. It will be his job, because he has such a strong history and good relationship with the new Oilers coach, to have those honest, candid conversations, if needed.

Smith’s job will be to ask, “Are you sure this is a good idea?” and if Babcock continues to overstep, Smith’s job is to cut it off.

He’s the governor. The Oilers want to be pushed. Babcock is there to do it. Smith’s job is to make sure the pushing takes place, but stays within the limits of acceptable behavior. If everyone does their job, this could be a winning formula.

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