Tortorella Showed Why Babcock Is the Oilers’ Magic Bullet

It’s kind of funny how coaching stories always end up looking similar, even when the coaches are different. One coach is super polished, the other is straight-up abrasive, but the vibe is the same: “We’re not here to babysit. We’re here to win.” So when I see McDavid and Hyman speaking glowingly about Mike Babcock, it makes me think there’s more going on than just liking a coach. It feels like they’re pointing to a specific kind of experience—old-school, hard-headed, no-nonsense coaching that knows exactly what pressure does to a team.

---

---

John Tortorella Just Came Off a Good Run with the Golden Knights

That’s where John Tortorella’s time with the Vegas Golden Knights comes into my brain. Even though he wasn’t rehired, his stint still reads like a case study for what a veteran “get after it” coach can do when a roster is close. Tortorella took that group to the Stanley Cup Final. That’s not a small accomplishment, and it doesn’t happen by accident.

If anything, it suggests that when teams are in “we have to do it now” mode, a coach with a lot of big-game experience can light a fire fast—especially if the players already trust the leadership group and the systems.

The Zach Hyman/Mike Babcock Connection is Logical for the Oilers

And people bring up the Babcock–Zack Hyman connection too. That obviously matters, because players know coaches better than fans ever will. But I don’t think it’s the only tipping point. If Hyman is tight with the leadership group in Edmonton, then hiring Babcock might have been less about “getting Hyman on board” and more about bringing in someone who matches the team’s urgency.

It’s like the coaching version of calling your shot. You don’t hire that style because it’s nice. You hire it because you feel the window is shrinking and you need someone to squeeze every ounce out of it.

Tortorella’s Success Is an Example of an Experienced Coach’s Skill

Tortorella losing to Carolina in the Final might also affect how teams view “experienced coaching under pressure.” It’s not like they failed because Tortorella wasn’t tough enough. It’s more like: even the best coaching can’t stop the game from being a grind, and a little bit of luck helps. So maybe teams look at that and see what toughness and accountability can do. Now imagine adding the kind of veteran structure, preparation, and readiness that gives a team the cleanest path possible.

That’s also what I hear in the whole “sprint to the finish” idea. The core players know the clock is ticking. They know these aren’t infinite years. So they start treating coaching like training camp for the Olympics. If Babcock is like Tortorella, they want no more distractions, no wasted reps, and a coach who’s willing to push so hard the team has to either level up or admit they can’t.

Maybe that’s why McDavid, Draisaitl, and Hyman sound so enthusiastic. They’re not looking for a coach who makes them comfortable. They’re looking for one who can help them win the Stanley Cup. At this stage of their careers, that’s the only goal that really matters.

The Oilers aren’t hiring Mike Babcock because they’re a bad team. They’re hiring him because they believe they’re one step away.

Related: Zach Hyman Has Nothing But Praise for Mike Babcock