The Edmonton Oilers already have the best player on the planet. Now, according to explosive new reports, that player may be quietly orchestrating one of the most polarizing coaching moves in recent NHL history.
Multiple sources close to the team have suggested that superstar center Connor McDavid is not just sitting on the sidelines while the Oilers hunt for a new bench boss — he’s reportedly been part of the conversation from the very beginning. And the name at the top of the list? Controversial former Stanley Cup winner Mike Babcock.
Why McDavid’s Involvement Is a Bombshell
According to Oilers insider Bob Stauffer, it would be downright naive to think the franchise’s most valuable asset isn’t, as he put it, “at least part of the process in major organizational moves.” That veiled revelation has sent shockwaves through the hockey world.
If McDavid is indeed in the room — or even just signaling his openness — it radically changes the stakes. Babcock hasn’t coached an actual NHL game since being run out of Columbus in 2023 amid allegations that he invaded players’ privacy by rifling through their phone photos. The NHLPA stepped in, and Babcock resigned before ever coaching a single game for the Blue Jackets.
For the Oilers to even entertain that kind of baggage, insiders say, McDavid would have to give his blessing. And that, sources say, is what makes this story so electric.
The Two-Year Contract That Screams “Prove It”
Earlier this season, McDavid inked a two-year extension — a deal widely interpreted as a ticking clock. Many league observers believe the short term was a clear message: Win the Stanley Cup, or watch your franchise player walk in 2027.
Babcock, for all his faults, has a resume that includes a Cup ring and a reputation for winning. If McDavid reportedly believes Babcock’s demanding, old-school methods are what finally push the Oilers over the top, it could explain why Edmonton is still willing to kick the tires on a figure many around the league consider radioactive.
The Mental Games That Could Backfire
Former Maple Leafs forward Nazem Kadri pulled back the curtain on Babcock’s approach in his book, describing a coach who used psychology as a weapon. “Babs was really into the psychological aspects of performance… He was interested in ways to motivate players, to get the most out of them by knowing what buttons to press,” Kadri wrote. “But over a long period of time, that can wear on you… There’s no longer a place in the league for mind games like that.”
If those mind games alienate McDavid — or any of Edmonton’s core — the fallout could be catastrophic. One anonymous league executive told us, “If McDavid gives the green light and it goes sideways, that’s a culture war that ends with the best player in the world wanting out. That’s not a risk most teams take lightly.”
Still, with the Kings already off the market and the coaching carousel spinning fast, Edmonton may feel pressure to act. Babcock is a big name. And if McDavid reportedly wants him, insiders say the Oilers may have no choice but to listen.
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