Mike Babcock received a huge show of support from Edmonton Oilers fans during his first regular-season home game.
The veteran coach was greeted by a loud roar at Rogers Place during pregame introductions against the Vancouver Canucks. Although the Oilers lost the game 6-5 to Canucks, the moment stood out from the night.
The reception came after a summer filled with debate over Babcock’s hiring. The Oilers brought him in during June to replace Kris Knoblauch after their first-round playoff exit.
Babcock’s return also brought renewed attention to controversies from his previous coaching stops. Still, Edmonton’s players have publicly backed his approach.
Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman were involved in the process before the Oilers hired Babcock. McDavid has also made clear that he wants a demanding coach.
“I want to be coached. I do,” McDavid said while speaking with Sportsnet’s Kyle Bukauskas and Elliotte Friedman.
The Oilers captain has acknowledged that he still needs guidance in other areas of his game.
“There’s other areas of the game that I need some help on,” McDavid said. “I need to be coached and we need to be organized.”
McDavid also offered a strong prediction about what Babcock can bring to Edmonton.
“Babs will have our group organized,” McDavid said. “We are going to be the most prepared team in the NHL.”
Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
That confidence was reflected by the home crowd during Babcock’s introduction.
The reception does not erase the criticism surrounding the coaching hire. Mark Messier previously called himself “horrified” and “absolutely shocked” by the decision.
However, Babcock now has the backing of the team’s biggest star and a clear mandate.
So, for Edmonton fans, the opening-night roar showed that Babcock has support inside Rogers Place as the Oilers begin another Stanley Cup pursuit.
