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Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl publicly backed Mike Babcock after the Edmonton Oilers hired him as head coach. However, former NHL defenseman Jason Demers thinks that support now places even greater pressure on the team’s stars.
Speaking with Tyler Yaremchuk on the “Oilers Nation Everyday” podcast, Demers admitted he remains unconvinced by the coaching hire.
“I can’t get behind the Mike Babcock signing. I just can’t,” Demers said. “I don’t care what the top guys say.”
MORE: Jason Demers predicts Oilers will ‘run away’ with Pacific Division
He acknowledged that McDavid and Draisaitl had to be comfortable with the decision.
“At the end of the day, those are the guys that have to be comfortable with the signing,” Demers said. “They are. So now that it’s done and it’s over, let’s see what Babcock can do.”
Demers also questioned whether Babcock has changed since his previous NHL stop.
“If he’s learned anything, and he clearly didn’t really show any of that in the press conference,” Demers said. “Let’s see if he’s learned something in terms of being a coach and somebody that can come in and get the most out of these guys.”
The Oilers hired Babcock after a disappointing 2025-26 season that ended with a first-round playoff loss to the Anaheim Ducks. Before his appointment, the NHL investigated his conduct following his 2023 departure from the Columbus Blue Jackets. The league later cleared him to return behind an NHL bench.
Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; The Edmonton Oilers celebrate a 4-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks in game five of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
McDavid, Draisaitl and Zach Hyman all voiced support after meeting Babcock. They emphasized his experience and his ability to improve the team’s defensive structure.
Demers found one part of those comments surprising.
“A few of the comments worried me about them saying they want somebody that can hold them accountable defensively,” Demers said. “When you are the best players in the world, arguably, you should be able to hold yourself accountable.”
Still, he understood why Edmonton’s leaders wanted a coach to enforce standards.
“I get that you don’t want to have to police yourself and be a coach on top of being a player,” he said.
MORE: NHL fans roast Zach Hyman for backing Oilers’ Mike Babcock hire
Demers thinks those endorsements shifted responsibility onto the players.
“They’ve almost put more pressure on themselves because I think no one’s really going to catch flak if this doesn’t work other than the players, because they really signed off on it,” Demers said.
That reality makes the 2026-27 season even more significant. If Babcock succeeds, McDavid and Draisaitl will be credited for backing the right coach. If Edmonton falls short again, their public support will remain part of the conversation.
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Speaking with Tyler Yaremchuk on the “Oilers Nation Everyday” podcast, Demers admitted he remains unconvinced by the coaching hire.
“I can’t get behind the Mike Babcock signing. I just can’t,” Demers said. “I don’t care what the top guys say.”
MORE: Jason Demers predicts Oilers will ‘run away’ with Pacific Division
He acknowledged that McDavid and Draisaitl had to be comfortable with the decision.
“At the end of the day, those are the guys that have to be comfortable with the signing,” Demers said. “They are. So now that it’s done and it’s over, let’s see what Babcock can do.”
Demers also questioned whether Babcock has changed since his previous NHL stop.
“If he’s learned anything, and he clearly didn’t really show any of that in the press conference,” Demers said. “Let’s see if he’s learned something in terms of being a coach and somebody that can come in and get the most out of these guys.”
The Oilers hired Babcock after a disappointing 2025-26 season that ended with a first-round playoff loss to the Anaheim Ducks. Before his appointment, the NHL investigated his conduct following his 2023 departure from the Columbus Blue Jackets. The league later cleared him to return behind an NHL bench.
Oilers’ star players now own the outcome
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Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; The Edmonton Oilers celebrate a 4-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks in game five of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
McDavid, Draisaitl and Zach Hyman all voiced support after meeting Babcock. They emphasized his experience and his ability to improve the team’s defensive structure.
Demers found one part of those comments surprising.
“A few of the comments worried me about them saying they want somebody that can hold them accountable defensively,” Demers said. “When you are the best players in the world, arguably, you should be able to hold yourself accountable.”
Still, he understood why Edmonton’s leaders wanted a coach to enforce standards.
“I get that you don’t want to have to police yourself and be a coach on top of being a player,” he said.
MORE: NHL fans roast Zach Hyman for backing Oilers’ Mike Babcock hire
Demers thinks those endorsements shifted responsibility onto the players.
“They’ve almost put more pressure on themselves because I think no one’s really going to catch flak if this doesn’t work other than the players, because they really signed off on it,” Demers said.
That reality makes the 2026-27 season even more significant. If Babcock succeeds, McDavid and Draisaitl will be credited for backing the right coach. If Edmonton falls short again, their public support will remain part of the conversation.
Continue reading...
