Babcock’s No-Excuses Approach Fueling Oilers’ Strong Start, Says Draisaitl

Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisaitl says new head coach Mike Babcock has come as advertised, and the early results are showing up in their 9-2-2 record. The Oilers start a three-game road trip through New York this weekend, and the hope is that the roster keeps taking the steps it needs to keep rolling. 

The key word at practice on Friday was accountability. 

 “Now it’s very clear what we need to do to be successful,” Draisaitl said, noting that the team is learning and reinforcing it every day. That hasn't always been the case with this Oilers team, one that has often lacked the energy and motivation to push to be its best early in the last few seasons. 

The biggest change, according to Draisaitl, is that this coach doesn't let up. Babcock doesn’t hesitate to point out when a player isn’t doing what’s needed to help the team win, and the star forward said that’s exactly what the room wanted. “You’re getting called out on whatever you’re not doing right to help the team win. And we’ve asked for that, we need that, we wanted that, and we’re getting it.”

Draisaitl stressed that the standard applies to everyone. While top-end players may get a slightly longer offensive leash, he said the team’s identity and style of play are the same for everyone, as is the mindset behind it. “No one is allowed to do anything more than anyone else,” he said, adding that Babcock is “very hard on that and that’s the way we want it and the way it should be.”

Babcock was asked why this team, despite all its bad injury luck, has maintained a solid record and gotten a lot of its replacement players. Babcock said he's providing a platform, and the guys are working hard. Anyone who isn't seizing the opportunity isn't playing, and no one can argue they haven't gotten an opportunity. 

Hence the situation with Jake Walman, whom the coach plans to sit down with again on Friday to discuss his future. 

The early emphasis on structure and defensive detail marks a noticeable shift in attitude for the Oilers. Draisaitl was asked about Walman, saying that he's a veteran and it won't take long for him to figure out what he needs to do to get back in and stay in.

Walman's scratch doesn't just send a message to the defenseman; it sends one to every player on the roster, no matter what their contract says. 

Draisaitl’s comments suggest the message is landing in the dressing room, and the players are embracing the demands that come with it.

"You're getting called out on whatever you're not doing right to help the team win. And we've asked for that, we need that, we wanted that, and we're getting it." He added, "That's a good thing."

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