Prioritizing unfinished business over free agency, the veteran duo commits to Edmonton’s high ceiling while welcoming the potential arrival of a demanding new bench boss.
Both Connor Murphy and Jason Dickinson met with the media on Monday to talk about their respective decisions to sign extensions with the Edmonton Oilers. Choosing to sign before July 1, both elected not to test free agency, and both arguably took discounts to stay in Edmonton.
The media got a chance to ask them about everything from their decision, to their roles, leadership, and what it's going to be like playing under Mike Babcock (assuming that announcement is coming in the following hours or days).
Both mentioned they were excited to stay with the team, noting that testing free agency was not their priority.
“As soon as I came in, it felt like a place I wanted to be for a long time,” Dickinson said.
“Then you get the itch as soon as you start playing serious hockey. And although we lost in the first round, it sucked, I have that itch to keep going with this group. It's not just an itch to be in the playoffs — it feels like unfinished business almost, that we have a good group that can push this forward, and I want to be a part of that.”
Both also said they have no concerns about playing under head coach Mike Babcock, if it's Babcock that is hired in the coming days.
"In general, the one thing I feel about the team that we've been a part of here is being more of a veteran group and a very mature group.
"I feel like whatever coach comes in and whatever they try to implement accountability-wise or structure-wise or discipline, I think guys will handle it.
"I think guys really want to be coached. So anything that's thrown this team's way, I think they're going to— they really grasp it and try to get the best of each other with whatever is given."
“If he's reinstated by the league, then he's welcome to coach in the league and there's no concerns about that,” said Dickinson. “So it's exciting that it's a possibility. He has a great track record. He's won some big tournaments for Canada and he's done well for himself.”
"With the high-end talent & the ceiling of what the team is capable of... It made that excitement feel like a top priority to keep it going."
You can see the full video of their media availability below:
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