The Edmonton Oilers are reportedly pursuing Mike Babcock as their next head coach, aiming to return to the Stanley Cup Final. The team reached the Final in back-to-back seasons in 2024 and 2025, peaking in 2024 with a Game 7 loss to the Florida Panthers. By 2025, their roster depth had diminished, leading to a quicker series loss to the Panthers.
Entering the 2025-26 season, the Oilers were less competitive than in previous years. Leon Draisaitl himself acknowledged the absence of key depth players like Ryan McLeod, Warren Foegele, Corey Perry, Vincent Desharnais, and Cody Ceci.
Furthermore, the team’s defensive capabilities have been a consistent issue. While they found success under former coach Kris Knoblauch, the 2025-26 Oilers seemed to expect an easy playoff berth without demonstrating strong regular-season performance, managing only two winning streaks of three or more games.
Injuries and fatigue exposed the Oilers’ lack of speed and depth. Management has failed to adequately support Connor McDavid and his teammates. Throughout coaching tenures including Ken Hitchcock, Dave Tippet, Jay Woodcroft, Todd McLellan, and Kris Knoblauch, the fundamental problem has remained team defense.
Regardless of who takes the coaching position – whether it’s Babcock, a legendary figure like Scotty Bowman, or Bruce Cassidy (who the Oilers initially favored but are reportedly blocked from interviewing by the Vegas Golden Knights) – the roster requires significant attention. This is particularly true as Connor McDavid begins his new two-year contract extension.
As reported by Dave Pagnotta of The Fourth Period on TSN Radio, the Oilers face numerous roster vacancies that need to be addressed within a tight three-to-four-week window. This isn’t a matter of filling one or two gaps; it’s a substantial overhaul.
“This is the other thing that’s kind of part of all of this. Yes, they have to make a coaching change, and yeah, it seems like right now it’s either, it’s presumably Babcock, but guys, they have so many changes they need to make to that roster.
Oh yeah, this isn’t just a ‘Hey, okay, we need a coach, and we need to fill one or two holes.’ This is, we need to coach, we gotta find Darnell Nurse a new home, we have to rejig the blue line, we need a 3C, we have to fix our fourth lines, and we want a winger with foot speed to keep up with McDavid and (Zach) Hyman on that top line. Okay, well, get to work, that’s a lot.”
Darnell Nurse’s name has been circulating in trade rumors since last year, as the team aims to clear his $9.25 million AAV to improve the roster. The Toronto Maple Leafs face similar challenges with their current roster composition and needs, highlighting a shared predicament.
One can only imagine how many roster issues might have been avoided if better decisions had been made in Edmonton previously.
