These Oilers Players Could Benefit from Babcock’s Tough Love

As I noted in an earlier post I wrote about the Edmonton Oilers’ new head coach, Mike Babcock, it isn’t as if Babcock hasn’t moved the needle for players to help them get untracked. In some ways, it’s interesting how full-circle this feels, given Zach Hyman’s experience with Babcock when he was coaching the Toronto Maple Leafs.  

At that time, Hyman was a young guy just breaking in when Babcock impacted his game. Babcock pushed him hard, supported his work ethic, and helped turn him into the reliable, high-character player we see dominating in Edmonton now. Hyman has said it was huge for his career.

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Babcock Had a Good Meeting with the Oilers Stars

Now Babcock’s behind the Oilers bench, and after meeting with the leadership group (including Hyman), you wonder: can he have that same kind of positive ripple effect on the rest of the roster? Best-case scenario, here’s how it could play out for a few key guys.

Matt Savoie

At just 22, Savoie’s got great skill and creativity. He’s already showing top-six flashes but needs consistency and defensive detail to become a true impact player. Babcock’s old-school structure and attention to detail could be perfect for refining Savoie’s game. Savoie needs more coaching in how to play away from the puck and earn bigger minutes without losing his offensive edge. With Savoie, think Hyman 2.0 but with more natural talent.

Trent Frederic

Frederic’s a big, physical power forward who brings grit. He’s had moments of real usefulness on the depth lines and is signed for six more seasons. He should be a focus for Babcock’s coaching. For Frederic, consistency has been an issue. Babcock loves guys who compete hard and buy into a system. Under him, Frederic could round out his game, become a more reliable penalty killer and forechecker, and maybe even find a bigger role if he buys into the “details win games” ethos.

Jake Walman

Walman’s a mobile defenseman with a real knack for offence. He can be great for stretches, but he sometimes drifts. If Babcock gets in there and tightens up his defensive reads and decision-making, Walman could turn that potential into something more consistent. That could make him a real top-four option who’s strong at both ends.

Josh Samanski

The young German center is still figuring out the NHL, but there’s real upside. He can play both ways. But, he’s still a work in progress. If Babcock’s the one setting the tone, that kind of demanding coaching could speed things up—especially in his own zone and on draws. Tough-love style worked well for Hyman early on, so it could help Samanski grow into a dependable middle-six guy quicker.

Colton Dach

Dach is another big-bodied, physical presence who’s shown chemistry with Frederic. He’s still young and developing the consistency needed at the professional level. Babcock could help him channel his size and energy into smarter, higher-impact shifts. He’s exactly the kind of player who thrives when a demanding coach holds him accountable.

The Bottom Line: There Are No Guarantees with Babcock

There are no guarantees with Babcock. He arrives with a warning label based on how some of his previous stops ended, and Oilers fans have every right to be cautious. At the same time, he arrives with the potential to have a real positive impact.

If the leadership group is fully on board and Babcock keeps the focus on coaching, accountability, and professionalism, this team could take meaningful steps forward. The blueprint is already sitting in the room in Zach Hyman, a player who thrived under Babcock and developed into a more complete NHL player. That doesn’t guarantee success, but it does suggest there may be more to this story than the warning label alone.

Related: The Oilers Player Who Makes the Babcock Hire More Interesting