He started out as a random name thrown out on an Edmonton sports talk show a few weeks ago. That should have been our first clue.
That evolved into a media report this Monday morning that had everyone second-guessing its accuracy. Then, hours later, a confirmation from a club insider that he is indeed likely to be 'the guy,' unless the NHLPA has serious misgivings. Who is he?
Mike Babcock: A Controversial yet Decorated Candidate
Mike Babcock is an oft-decorated coach who has won at every level. A man confronted with controversy along the way. And the odds-on favourite to become the next head coach of the Edmonton Oilers.
Well... do you want to win or don't you?
I will not pretend for a moment that I do not have some questions and concerns surrounding Mike Babcock's ability to coach the Edmonton Oilers to a Stanley Cup. But almost all those misgivings relate to how long it has been since Babcock has been behind an NHL bench (seven years), as well as how long it has been since he has won (longer than that). There are those who would dismiss or minimize Babcock's past success. But his resume is his resume, written in black and white (as Ken Holland used to say) in the NHL Guide and Record Book.
Past Mistakes and Lessons Learned
Do I dismiss some of the player personnel issues that saw Babcock leave Toronto and Columbus? No. Those were errors in judgement. Babcock should have known better. And if he has not learned from those experiences, then this will not go well. But while many people can very fairly accuse Mike Babcock of many things, you will not find too many people who think he is stupid.
I also do not think that virtue signaling is any real way to run a professional hockey team. Some of the broad reaction to this news is completely over the top. Remember, not only has Stan Bowman and Daryl Katz met with him and signed off. So, as I understand it, has the Oilers on-ice leadership group. These guys were asked and consulted. To quote Oilers' broadcaster Bob Stauffer:
"As we have seen in the other Major Professional Leagues, one would have to be somewhat naïve not to think that your most important assets (players) are not at least part of the process in major organizational moves."
Bob is right. I can tell you for an absolute fact that it is not unusual in the world of big business for key personnel to be brought into the confidence of ownership and management for major hires and other such events. It happens often. And usually with a positive and long-lasting impact.
Veteran Leadership and Player Support
For the detractors, you are telling me that Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins... grown men... cannot handle themselves in any situation? Mattias Ekholm and Evan Bouchard? This is an experienced veteran group. I just do not buy that. At. All. And as for how this may play out with the less experienced players, the rookies that can often feel overwhelmed in power struggles. I believe that same veteran core can look after their own. To put it bluntly: I do not think there is a man on this planet that could make Connor McDavid put up with anything that he does think is right. Do you?
