Leon Draisaitl isn’t bothered by the idea of Mike Babcock coming in hard on the Edmonton Oilers. If anything, he sounds ready for it.
In remarks via TSN.ca, Draisaitl praised the former Toronto Maple Leafs head coach for bringing a clear structure and a demanding approach.
“I think he’s got a very clear plan, and I think he holds guys accountable, and I think to him, it’s not about who it is when it comes to accountability, you know?
Like, we’re looking to be coached. We’re looking to get better. and I sometimes deserve (to be yelled at) too, just like anyone else does.
I don’t think ‘Babs’ is going to care overly much who we are in terms of that. I think sometimes that’s needed.”
That kind of reaction is notable given Babcock’s reputation over the years, but Draisaitl’s stance makes the fit in Edmonton sound pretty straightforward: the Oilers want to be pushed.
And maybe that’s exactly the point. Connor McDavid is still the best player in the world, but the Oilers need more than elite talent. They need the right kind of coaching from October to April so they can be at their best when the spring arrives.
Babcock brings that kind of resume. He’s a proven winner with multiple Stanley Cup Finals appearances, and he knows what a demanding season looks like. The idea here is not that he’s around for the long haul - even if things go well, this could be a short stay, because that kind of pressure can only last so long.
McDavid and Draisaitl are both in their 29-year-old seasons, but McDavid’s contract situation adds another layer. He has two years remaining, and it remains possible he could be wearing a different uniform before long.
The changes in Toronto this summer are a major storyline, but Babcock’s return to the NHL stands out as one of the most intriguing developments anywhere.
In Other News...
Former Oilers Forward Gets A Fresh Chance As Leafs Role Opens Up
The Maple Leafs forward picture keeps shifting, and the latest move only sharpens the competition. Jack Roslovics new two-year deal in Toronto has already created the sense that he could be asked to do more than some expected when he arrived, while the rest of the roster battle remains very much alive as camp approaches. For a team trying to sort out its depth and find the right mix up front, every opening matters.
Alex Nylander is on the other side of that equation, with reports tying him to a professional tryout at Calgary Flames camp after a productive season with the Toronto Marlies. It is a reminder of how thin the line can be for players chasing NHL jobs, especially when one roster gets crowded and another spot suddenly looks available. For Toronto, the competition around the bottom of the forward group is still a story worth watching. [Read more 🡒]
Leafs Keep Emerging In One Intriguing Big-Season Addition Scenario
Elliotte Friedmans latest look at the leagues future had a little something for everyone, but for Maple Leafs fans, the most intriguing thread was the one that put Erik Karlsson back into the conversation. Any talk of a veteran right-shot defenseman with elite puck-moving ability is going to catch attention in Toronto, especially with the club always searching for ways to sharpen its blue line and keep pace in the East. The broader backdrop matters, too, with Friedman floating the idea of NHL expansion in markets like Atlanta and Texas before the next U.S. TV deal expires, a reminder that the leagues next few years could bring more change than most offseasons do.
There is also the inevitable business-side chatter around the top of the league office, with Friedman suggesting Gary Bettman could eventually shift into an advisory role while Bill Daly steps in. But for the Leafs, the immediate draw is still the possibility of Karlsson landing in Toronto if the right conditions line up, a scenario that keeps resurfacing because it would reshape how the team thinks about its roster construction. Elsewhere on the hockey broadcast and transaction front, there were updates involving Ron Macleans possible return to Rogers Saturday night coverage, plus emergency backup goalie news and professional tryout agreements for Cal Petersen and Alex Nylander, a reminder that the NHL calendar never stays quiet for long. [Read more 🡒]
Leafs Are Watching A Familiar Experiment Slip To Another Team
Alex Nylander is headed for another chance to crack an NHL roster, with reports saying he is expected to sign a professional tryout with the Calgary Flames. For Toronto fans, it is a familiar kind of development: a player who made an impression with the Marlies last season, put together a strong year in the AHL, and still never turned that into a permanent spot with the Maple Leafs.
Now the Flames will get the look Toronto never fully granted him at the top level. Nylander will be evaluated through training camp and the preseason as Calgary tries to determine whether his game fits its NHL mix, leaving the Leafs to watch a once-familiar internal test play out somewhere else, with a different staff deciding whether there is finally a path forward. [Read more 🡒]