The Edmonton Oilers’ most important players have delivered a clear message about new head coach Mike Babcock: they wanted him, they support him, and they are ready to be pushed.

Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman spoke with reporters Monday during the seventh annual Zach Hyman Celebrity Golf Classic in Toronto. Each player was asked about Babcock’s arrival in Edmonton and the controversy that has followed the veteran coach throughout the later stages of his career.

Rather than sidestepping the subject, Edmonton’s leadership group offered a strong public endorsement.

McDavid calls Babcock “the perfect fit”

McDavid pointed directly to Babcock’s experience coaching in high-pressure situations.

“It’s a great opportunity to be coached by someone who’s coached in every single big game there is to coach in, who’s been successful, won Cups, gold medals,” McDavid told reporters.

“You name it, he’s done it. With where our group’s at and what we’re looking for, he’s the perfect fit.”

McDavid also believes Babcock’s established identity will help him take control immediately.

“He’s not going to need to come in and find who he is as a coach, or find himself in those situations,” McDavid said. “He knows what he’s about as a coach, and it’s our job as players to be ready to go.”

Those comments are significant.

Babcock is not being brought into Edmonton to oversee a patient rebuild or allow a young roster to slowly develop. The Oilers are trying to win the Stanley Cup immediately, and McDavid clearly values having a coach who has already experienced nearly every form of pressure the sport can produce.

Babcock won the Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings in 2008 and coached Canada to Olympic gold medals in both 2010 and 2014. He has recorded 700 regular-season victories across 17 NHL seasons.

Draisaitl says the difficult questions were addressed

Before Edmonton hired Babcock, McDavid, Draisaitl and Hyman met with him directly.

That conversation gave the players an opportunity to discuss Babcock’s past, his expectations and the type of relationship he planned to establish with Edmonton’s leadership group.

Draisaitl confirmed that the meeting was an important part of the process.

“There’s history there, but I think we got that all off the table,” Draisaitl said. “We had an honest conversation about it.”

The Oilers star believes Babcock could be the coach who finally pushes Edmonton over the top.

“It’s just the time that we’re all in our careers, the age that we’re in, and I think he’s the right guy to get us to where we want to get to,” Draisaitl said.

“It’s a different look, a change in personality, but I’m very excited to learn from him.”

Draisaitl’s reference to age and timing cannot be ignored.

He is 30 years old, while McDavid is 29. Edmonton’s best players remain firmly in their prime, but the organization cannot assume its championship window will remain open forever.

The Oilers reached consecutive Stanley Cup Finals in 2024 and 2025 but lost to the Florida Panthers both times. Edmonton then took a step backwards in 2025-26, losing to the Anaheim Ducks in six games during the opening round and firing Kris Knoblauch shortly afterward.

After three straight disappointing endings, Edmonton is no longer searching for small improvements. The organization is searching for the final adjustments needed to win a championship.

Hyman offers firsthand support

Hyman’s endorsement may carry more weight than anyone else’s because he has already played for Babcock.

The two spent several seasons together with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Hyman said Babcock played an important role in establishing the habits that helped Toronto’s young players build long NHL careers.

“I obviously had a very good experience with Mike in Toronto,” Hyman said. “I thought that he did a great job with a lot of the young players that were there.”

“He set the foundation for us. I think he’s a phenomenal coach. I think extremely highly of him.”

Hyman also addressed the process Babcock went through before receiving clearance to return.

“I’m happy he went through the process with the NHL and the NHLPA, and all those questions were answered,” Hyman said. “From a player standpoint, we’re excited for what he brings.”

Babcock resigned as head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets before the 2023-24 season after the NHL Players’ Association investigated allegations that he had asked players to share personal photos from their phones.

Before Edmonton hired him on June 23, 2026, the NHL conducted another review. The league ultimately determined there was no current basis to prevent Babcock from working in the NHL.

That does not mean every fan will immediately become comfortable with his return. Babcock will face scrutiny throughout his time in Edmonton, particularly regarding how he communicates with players and handles accountability.

However, it is now clear that Edmonton’s leadership group was involved in the decision and did not enter the relationship blindly.

The Oilers are asking to be challenged

The most interesting part of Monday’s comments was not simply that McDavid, Draisaitl and Hyman supported Babcock.

It was why they supported him.

The Oilers’ core appears to recognize that returning with the same approach would not be enough. McDavid praised Babcock’s experience. Draisaitl welcomed a change in personality. Hyman highlighted the structure and preparation Babcock previously brought to Toronto.

They are not asking for a comfortable coach. They are asking for someone who will challenge them.

That creates an enormous amount of pressure for everyone involved.

Babcock must prove that he can bring demanding standards without repeating the communication problems that damaged his reputation. Edmonton’s star players must show they are willing to accept criticism and adjust their games. The organization must prove that such a controversial appointment was made for legitimate hockey reasons and not simply because it was running out of ideas.

There will be no shortage of attention when training camp begins.

But based on what Edmonton’s three most influential forwards said Monday, Babcock will enter the room with something every coach needs: support from the players who matter most.

McDavid called him the perfect fit. Draisaitl called him the right man for this stage of their careers. Hyman called him a phenomenal coach.

Now comes the difficult part.

They must prove it on the ice.