The Oilers Player Who Makes the Babcock Hire More Interesting

During his media interview on Tuesday, Mike Babcock said his meeting with the Edmonton Oilers leadership group of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman was really productive. He noted that this was the road the team wanted to travel and was willing to hold to that commitment.

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Why Hyman Matters So Much in the Babcock Saga

Zach Hyman matters in this whole Babcock conversation more than people might think, and it’s not just because he’s a well-liked veteran. If you’re trying to understand why this talk even has some weight, Hyman is a real “insider” data point. He’s the one who’s been coached by Babcock before. And he went through that experience at a time when he wasn’t yet getting the credit he would later earn.

From covering the Toronto Maple Leafs at the time, I know that Babcock didn’t just tolerate Hyman. He valued the things Hyman brought to the table. In a post I wrote in October, 2019, Babcock noted about Hyman, “He’s Good, Eh?”

In particular, Babcock was big on Hyman’s puck-digging and work ethic, calling him one of the best puck diggers the Maple Leafs had at the time. That’s the kind of praise that doesn’t happen by accident. And it lines up with how Hyman’s game changed during that era. Under Babcock, he didn’t just “play harder.” He transformed into a more complete version of himself—more structured, more reliable, and way more impactful in the details.

Hyman Is Proof that Babcock Can Impact Young “Depth” Players Positively

So if Babcock is the name floating around again, Hyman isn’t only another player in the conversation. He’s proof that the system can connect with the right kind of player. That’s why his presence feels like it could shift the tone, especially among the Oilers’ leadership. He’s the one player who isn’t operating on guesswork—he understands it matters who’s at the top and how the message gets delivered.

In a situation like that, the top-end guys—your McDavids and Leon Draisaitls—don’t just care that you can coach. They care whether the coach can handle real stars and keep everyone buying in. And, for all the reputation Babcock brings to the Oilers, Hyman’s relationship with Babcock wasn’t any kind of awkward, one-time thing.

If Babcock has been involved with leadership-group conversations before, Hyman’s perspective from that time has to count. That’s the part that makes the speculation interesting: it’s not wild fan guessing anymore. It’s more like, “Okay, if the coach has already gotten something out of a guy like Hyman, maybe that’s why the conversation feels different this time.”

The Oilers Stars Appear Fully Aligned

Even in the quotes people are pointing to, the tone is that Edmonton’s star players want to win, want to adjust, and are willing to do the work. Babcock reportedly called his sit-down with the leadership group of McDavid, Draisaitl, and Hyman “incredible.” And he was excited to talk directly with players who aren’t just listening but actively considering changes.

“It’s pretty exciting for a coach,” Babcock said, “I went through in detail the changes that would have to be made for us to have been successful.”

If you’re thinking about why this all matters, Hyman is the bridge between the rumour and the real-life possibility. He’s the one who’s already seen what Babcock can build when the room is serious, and the standard is high. For Oilers fans, the caution lights are blinking, but that doesn’t mean the team is heading for disaster.

Related: Reading Between the Lines of the Oilers’ Biggest Decision