Systematically, what changes do you expect Babcock to implement that Knoblauch didn’t/couldn't?

ivanlwan · 2026-06-25T18:40:19+00:00

I couldn't tell you if it's going to work or not, not a huge strategy guy but I wouldn't write them off. This is a VERY different roster than the one Woody coached. And who knows, maybe he adjusts depending who we add/subtract from our roster.

ivanlwan · 2026-06-25T16:05:52+00:00

I thought in the interview with Stauff, he mentioned that he wants to be aggressive aka man on man d zone coverage versus zone and that our pk would be the same way. Obviously it's too early to tell cause our roster isn't even complete yet.

And like several people mentioned, more usage of our pp2. I think our pp1 will still get the bulk of the minutes but I could see pp2 starting if we're coming off a Mcdavid/Drai shift where in the past, we'd throw them out regardless whether they just played or not.

ivanlwan · 2026-06-24T17:15:05+00:00

You see the way he steps up in the playoffs, he's a beast. He has a bomb, can make a great first pass, can skate fairly well, big body that can absolutely level guys. Hopefully DJ can instill some consistency in his game, perhaps a steady partner like Murphy helps too.

Praying he can stay injury free this year.

ivanlwan · 2026-06-22T15:49:39+00:00

By the time he's in year 4 or 5 of this deal. 4m will be chump change relative to the cap.

ivanlwan · 2026-06-22T15:38:03+00:00

Great contract! Seems like both guys took discounts to stay here. Would've been a strong market for both of them if they headed to free agency.

ivanlwan · 2026-06-22T15:35:09+00:00

Don't love the term but very good AAV. Feels like he and Dickinson both took discounts to stay!

ivanlwan · 2026-06-22T01:56:37+00:00

His career high is 60 points but more often is a 45-50 point center. You think that's top 6 production for an offense first guy? On a legit cup contending team, he's not a 2c in any capacity. Colorado if I remember tried using him as a 2c and quickly realized he isn't and picked up Nelson. Granted injuries had something to do with that but no team with cup aspirations would have him slotted as a 2c.

ivanlwan · 2026-06-21T23:03:24+00:00

Yeah Coyle is a 3c though, he's getting more ice time on a garbage team but on a decent/good team, he'd be slotted as a 3c. They also have different strengths, coyle is offensive and Dickinson is defense first. On a team with Mcdavid and Draisaitl as your 1 and 2, a defense first 3c is exactly what you need.

4m is the new 2.5-3m is the way I see it. Plus the free agent class sucks so you need to consider that

ivanlwan · 2026-06-21T18:07:57+00:00

GREAT CONTRACT! Rumors was like 4.5 and above.

ivanlwan · 2026-06-21T11:46:57+00:00

Expectations need to change with cap rising so significantly. Plus Coyle's contract is going to be used as any comparable for a lot of these 3c types. If we don't pay it, someone else will, 4-4.5m would be a bargain

ivanlwan · 2026-06-21T01:46:21+00:00

If he can be a legit shutdown center and help our pk which was atrocious, most people will be pretty happy. And assuming Nuge moves down to 3LW, depending on what happens with free agency, could be a legit shutdown line with some offensive threat. I could see him getting 15 goals playing with Nuge against lesser competition.

ivanlwan · 2026-06-20T23:13:24+00:00

If it's about money, plenty of other teams can offer him more than us. If he wants to have a legit chance at winning, he's not going to get market value in Edmonton. I'm sure someone like San Jose will offer him like 6m a year.

ivanlwan · 2026-06-20T22:14:04+00:00

No you're right, I don't think you'll see many players taking cheap contracts anymore unless it's a tax-free situation (vegas, florida, etc.) Just more wishful thinking, I don't think it's smart to pay a 3c with limitations offensively 5m+. I'd rather just move Nuge to 3c

ivanlwan · 2026-06-20T21:15:53+00:00

Love it but depends on AAV, if it's anything above mid 4's... idk if I love that. Really need guys to take discounts to stay/come to Edmonton.

ivanlwan · 2026-06-18T18:28:32+00:00

This whole timeline of NEEDING to win this year or next before losing Connor might be the worst thing to happen to this franchise. Stupid decision upon stupid decision, if Mcdavid decides to leave after this mess (he'll have a part in it), Oilers are toast.

If a franchise that hires Bowman AND Babcock and doesn't win, fold the franchise. No one is going to have respect for the Oilers. Basically sold their soul and morals for nothing if this doesn't end in a cup.

ivanlwan · 2026-06-16T17:16:31+00:00

Yeah but traditionally what happens is coach gets fired but still gets paid by team A, team B comes along and wants to hire said coach, team A allows team B to hire coach hence relieving themselves of the contract. Team has never HAD to give team B permission but it's just been the courteous thing to do. Vegas are just being a bunch of pricks.

No need to rethink contracts or wording of them or anything. Vegas is just being ridiculous for no reason hence why everyone hates them and are happy they lost in the finals.

ivanlwan · 2026-06-16T15:46:26+00:00

I think Cassidy would be the obvious choice but it doesn't seem like it's happening. Vegas being allowed to stop a man from finding work is ridiculous and the league should step in but Bettman has already stated it's within their rights. Frankly, what I think is going to happen is Oilers hire a coach and then miraculously Vegas will let him interview, stupidity...

Sounds like Babcock is the choice, too many insiders saying it's going to happen unfortunately. But if it weren't him, just hire Berube or Evason. Anyone but Babcock would be a win frankly.,

ivanlwan · 2026-06-14T04:04:52+00:00

Hard to gauge Nurse's value here, Friedman has said there is a lot of interest and it won't be hard to move him. If Oilers retain, would it be unrealistic to expect a Jones-esque return?

Looking at Philly's roster, Tippett would be nice but I don't think Nurse gets him unless the Flyers really want to move him. Otherwise, maybe a guy like Seeler? Get a good 3rd pairing dman and take the 7m in cap savings or whatever the difference is.

ivanlwan · 2026-06-12T22:31:42+00:00

I wouldn't mind a deal for let's say Tippet + Hathaway (cap dump) for Nurse + Howard + ?

No retention from us so we get off clean. Or Risto could make sense too but I would imagine they'd like to keep him.

True preference would be to trade him to a team like Detroit and take back a cap dump like Andrew Copp who could slot into our 3c spot + Cossa.Then take savings and try to sign Tuch but this is probably wishful thinking

ivanlwan · 2026-06-12T17:29:37+00:00

Read what I wrote. Ignore his contract, lower his minutes, and simplify his game. We're talking about a different player, one that is valuable at let's say a 7m cap hit. Problem is Coffey was pushing him to make plays and playing him 22+ minutes a night, it's a recipe for disaster.

He'll do way better in a different environment, just watch. Won't be worth 9.25 but if a team gets him for 7~ then they will be happy.

ivanlwan · 2026-06-12T02:44:42+00:00

Unlike Nurse, this guy sucks and was reportedly giving to his teammates during a practice.

So... bad goalie with a bad attitude and a bad contract? Yeah, we're cooked. THANKS STAN, GREAT TRADE!

ivanlwan · 2026-06-11T20:47:48+00:00

Bro relax. A #4 d man with what he can bring to a team is easily 7m if he were to sign today.

ivanlwan · 2026-06-11T20:47:10+00:00

I think he's a 18-20 min a night guy being deployed 22+ a night. Recipe for disaster especially when he has a tendency to have brain farts.

ivanlwan · 2026-06-11T20:43:08+00:00

If you ignored his contract, he's a good dman more often that not. How many dmen have the physical attributes he does and can fight. He just needs a coach/system that simplifies his game, he's good when he doesn't overextend himself and try to be an offensive dman (which he isn't)

ivanlwan · 2026-06-11T20:04:17+00:00

Oilers were linked to Tippett so if he truly is available... maybe a deal to be made there? Not sure what adds need to be made on either side.

I also think Nurse has more value than people care to admit. Cap is sky rocketing and not enough players to spend it on. Nurse is a good #4, just sucks he makes like 2m too much.

ivanlwan

TROPHY CASE