Mike Babcock’s return behind an NHL bench brings a familiar face into a mostly unfamiliar room in Edmonton, but one current Oiler stands out as the clearest fit for what the new coach wants to build.
Three players on the roster have direct history with Babcock from his Toronto Maple Leafs run between 2015 and 2019: Zach Hyman, Kasperi Kapanen and Frederik Andersen. Hyman has the deepest connection of the group, having spent several seasons under Babcock in Toronto before moving on to Edmonton. Andersen was Toronto’s starter for nearly all of Babcock’s time there, while Kapanen also came through the organization during that stretch.
If there’s one player who looks poised to benefit most from the reunion, it’s Hyman.
Babcock’s approach has long centered on structure, accountability and a relentless work ethic, and Hyman’s game fits that mold almost perfectly. His high-motor style, his work around the net and his two-way value line up with the kind of player Babcock has always leaned on. Hyman was also part of the hiring process, so the coach knows exactly who helped open the door for him in Edmonton.
That doesn’t mean a massive role change is coming. Hyman is already firmly established in the Oilers’ hierarchy, so the expectation isn’t that he suddenly jumps into a dramatically different spot. Still, he could see steadier time on the top line and get more of the offensive starts and prime chances that come with it.
Kapanen’s situation is less certain because his NHL track record has been uneven. Andersen’s familiarity with Babcock should matter in the background, but he is not expected to play anywhere close to the same volume of games he handled during their Toronto years.
Hyman, though, is different. This is not a reset with a coach who has to learn his game from scratch.
Babcock already knows what Hyman brings, and Hyman already knows what Babcock expects. Since leaving Toronto, Hyman has gone from a player with promise to one who has already proven himself in Edmonton.
That kind of trust could make him one of the most important pieces in getting Babcock’s Edmonton tenure started on the right note.
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