Mike Babcock and D.J. Smith are introducing new tactical systems and accountability measures to the Edmonton Oilers during their current training camp. The team is preparing for a final pre-season matchup against the Calgary Flames at Rogers Place.
Replacing Kris Knoblauch after the Anaheim Ducks exit
The appointment of Mike Babcock as head coach and D.J. Smith as associate coach in June follows a disappointing postseason run for the Edmonton Oilers. According to the report, the previous head coach, Kris Knoblauch, was fired in May after the Edmonton Oilers were eliminated in six games by the Anaheim Ducks during the first round of the playoffs.
This leadership change signals a pivot in the Edmonton Oilers' organizational philosophy. By bringing in a veteran like Mike Babcock, the franchise is moving away from the previous regime's approach in favor of a more rigid, system-oriented structure designed to prevent another early exit from the playoffs.
Conor Murphy and the 'aura' of Mike Babcock
The immediate impact of the new coaching staff is already being felt by the players at Edmonton’s Downtown Community Arena .. oilers defenceman Conor Murphy noted that Mike Babcock possesses an "aura" stemming from his extensive resume of accomplishments, which has left some players feeling nervous during the initial stages of camp.
While the atmosphere is tense, Conor Murphy suggests that the transition is becoming routine. As the source reported, the focus remains on implementing accountability and specific systems, with the players accepting that while the drills and messaging have changed, the ultimate goal is to maximize the team's performance on the ice.
Leon Draisaitl's two-week window for instinctual play
Star centre Leon Draisaitl has cautioned that the transition to Mike Babcock's tactical framework will not happen overnight. Leon Draisaitl noted that because the Edmonton Oilers played the same system for a significant period, the current changes are entirely new and will require a period of intense focus to master.
Leon Draisaitl believes it will take approximately two weeks for the new systems to become instinctual for the roster. This adjustment period is a critical vulnerability for the Edmonton Oilers as they enter the regular season, requiring the players to be "dialled in" to avoid early-season tactical errors.
The 2019 resignation and the NHL's June clearance
Mike Babcock's return to the NHL is his first full-time role since 2019, following a brief and unsuccessful pre-season stint with the Columbus Blue Jackets three years ago. that tenure ended abruptly when the 63-year-old coach resigned amid allegtions that he had infringed upon the privacy of his players, leading to an investigation by the NHL Players’ Association.
The NHL officially cleared Mike Babcock in early June after conducting its own investigation into the matter. However, several points remain unverified: the specific nature of the privacy infringements has not been detailed in the current reporting, and it remains unclear how the current Edmonton Oilers locker room leadership views Babcock's history of strict player management.
Connor Clattenburg and the 10 players sent to Bakersfield
As the Edmonton Oilers trim their roster, 10 players have been reassigned to the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors, including forwards Quinn Hutson, Viljami Marjala, William Nicholl, Aku Raty, and Eduard Tralmaks.. The cuts also included defencemen Josh Brown and Tomas Cibulka, and goaltender Connor Ungar.
Among those sent down is the 6-foot-2, 219-pound winger Connor Clattenburg, who will begin the 2026-27 season in the AHL. Despite the reassignment, Mike Babcock praised Connor Clattenburg's physicality during a 2-1 pre-season victory in Vancouver, stating that the player is "a part of the future for sure" once he refines his skill set in Bakersfield.
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