- Elliotte Friedman says Mike Babcock challenged Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl face to face
- Babcock told his two stars they are “as much the problem” in Edmonton
- Read below for the full 32 Thoughts breakdown and the power play flashpoint to watch
Mike Babcock isn’t easing into the Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl relationship.
The new Oilers coach challenged both stars in their first meetings and told them, flat out, that they are “as much the problem.” Elliotte Friedman laid out how it went on the latest 32 Thoughts podcast.
Friedman said the two didn’t argue the point.
“They basically admitted it, that Babcock challenged [McDavid and Draisaitl] and said, ‘You guys are as much the problem,’” Friedman said. “I think it’s going to be a really fascinating dynamic, because if they want to be challenged, they’ve got a guy who’s not gonna be afraid to challenge them.”
Here’s Friedman breaking it down on 32 Thoughts:
The captain’s own words set the table. Friedman pointed to a McDavid quote about Edmonton being off the rails by the end of last season, and that’s the room Babcock walked into.
McDavid and Draisaitl have basically set the terms for years, no matter who stood behind the bench. Two of the best players alive earn that. It also hasn’t brought a Stanley Cup to Edmonton.
None of this is a surprise to McDavid, who already said the Oilers wanted a coach who would be hard on him and Draisaitl. Babcock is holding up his end.
The first real flashpoint might be special teams. Friedman flagged how Babcock uses the power play as the thing everyone will be watching.
“When it’s a power play in the third period, and Babcock sends out the second unit, I think we’re all gonna watch and say, ‘How’s this all gonna go?’” Friedman said.
Edmonton hired Babcock to push back on a room that got comfortable. He started with the two names at the top of it.
