The Toronto Maple Leafs selected Gavin McKenna with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, marking a new era for the franchise. McKenna immediately pointed to captain Auston Matthews as the player he hopes to learn from after joining Toronto. The selection capped a memorable night at KeyBank Center, where Justin … Read more
Leon Draisaitl believes Mike Babcock is the coach the Edmonton Oilers need as they try to turn another Stanley Cup contender into a championship team. Speaking with Bob Stauffer, the Oilers star said the leadership group welcomed the organization’s decision to hire the veteran bench boss, knowing that a tougher environment could help the club … Read more
Connor McDavid and Jason Dickinson have publicly endorsed Mike Babcock’s demanding coaching style, signaling that Edmonton’s leadership believes accountability is the missing piece in its Stanley Cup pursuit. After their painful NHL playoff disappointment, the Oilers are embracing a different identity under their new head coach despite the controversy surrounding his return to the NHL. … Read more
The Edmonton Oilers have sent a clear message about their offseason direction with Connor Murphy’s new contract extension. NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported on X, “Connor Murphy and the Oilers are closing in on a long-term extension, at approximately $4M per year. Contract is similar to Jason Dickinson (5 x $4M), but not exactly the … Read more
The NHL has officially cleared Mike Babcock for a return behind an NHL bench, but the decision has not erased concerns from the NHL Players’ Association as the Edmonton Oilers continue their coaching search. On June 18, the league concluded its investigation into Babcock’s brief and controversial tenure with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023. … Read more
