Oilers leadership interviews multiple coaching candidates

The Edmonton Oilers' leadership group, including Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, has taken an active role in the search for a new head coach, marking a significant shift towards a player-influenced decision-making process.

The group has met with several candidates, notably Mike Babcock, and reportedly chose him over Peter Laviolette, who has since been hired by the Los Angeles Kings. The players expressed a desire for a coach who can push them, indicating their preference for Babcock, despite his controversial past and the ongoing investigation by the NHLPA into allegations from his tenure with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

This investigation, prompted by new claims, could complicate the Oilers’ plans, as the NHLPA demands thorough scrutiny before Babcock's potential hiring can proceed. According to various reports, the involvement of ownership, particularly Daryl Katz, has been significant in driving the coaching search, reflecting the urgency of the situation with star players like McDavid having only two years left on their contracts.

The Oilers are at a crossroads, and the decisions made regarding coaching will likely have lasting implications for the team's direction and culture moving forward.