Oilers hire Mike Babcock as head coach, DJ Smith as associate coach

[TheOrganist]

That voice just grates on me more than anything. Just the worst cadence. I can’t imagine having to listen to it daily.

 

[ThunderRoad]

Only 2% of the population are actually narcissists…. But people toss that word around like 80% of the people are. Lol

Well seemingly in Babcock’s case he’s part of the 2%. Unbelievable he’s back and if McDavid was contemplating leaving for another opportunity - this would seem to be a move that will hasten his agent to fast track inquiries.

 

[RobHood]

Only 2% of the population are actually narcissists…. But people toss that word around like 80% of the people are. Lol

Two percent doesn't sound like much, but Canada's population is 41.4 million so that still makes 828000 of those people walking around. That's quite a lot of narcissists.

 

[dukeofjive]

Wow when you thought a circus couldn’t get any bigger.

 

[Chaels Arms]

Watched some of that presser I found it deeply disturbing. Babcock has zero self awareness and accountability it's unbelievable really.

When he spoke to Rishaug afterwords he said something like "when Conor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman come around looking for you to coach their team it's hard to say no." So, can you really blame him? As much dumb s*** as the guy does you have dumber people around the league willing to bring him back.

 

[The Nemesis]

When you've got the chance to sign a guy who hasn't won a cup in *checks notes* 2 decades, hasn't won anything of international consequence in over a decade, and has basically only ever won when he was handed super-elite collections of talent and even then it wasn't a guarantee you've got to do it, I guess.

I look forward to how Babcock is going to scream the goalies into making more saves and bully and belittle guys into pretending the roster deficiencies don't exist until those vibes manifest into reality.

 

[thaman8765678]

Listening to Babcock speak, he absolutely loves himself and does not think he did anything wrong. No remorse whatsoever, it is everyone else's fault.

This is going to be a train wreck and I am all for it.

 

[Beau Knows]

Two percent doesn't sound like much, but Canada's population is 41.4 million so that still makes 828000 of those people walking around. That's quite a lot of narcissists.

I'm certainly not qualified to diagnose someone, but I'll add this to your point:

There are studies that have claimed something like 20% of CEO's are narcissists, they appear to be motivated and skilled at climbing the ranks to end up in positions of power. Maybe head coaching positions in the NHL would similarly attract/reward people like that.

 

[Johnny Concussion]

I'm certainly not qualified to diagnose someone, but I'll add this to your point:

There are studies that have claimed something like 20% of CEO's are narcissists, they appear to be motivated and skilled at climbing the ranks to end up in positions of power. Maybe head coaching positions in the NHL would similarly attract people like that.

They do. I've been reading up on the "only 2%" statistic and one of the traits is seeking positions of power to use and exert that power over others. And it's higher than 2% with a range suggesting as high as 6% and one doctor (Dr. Ramani) suggesting as high as 10 or even 15%.

It's also underreported because most narcissist don't regularly seek help for their disorder. Can you imagine Mike Babcock going into therapy to discuss his behaviour and treatment of other players? Me neither.

It's quite possible Mike Babcock is a f***ing narcissist but we'll never actually know because he'll never get diagnosed.

 

[The Panther]

What the heck is up with the Oilers and the names they choose for head coaches?

Back when they hired Knoblach in 2023, I believe I was the first to point out that he was the fourth coach in a row with a phallic name. Someone responded to my post: "Confirmed! Mike Babcock as the next Oilers' coach." We chuckled.

Yep.

 

[MoneyManny]

That voice just grates on me more than anything. Just the worst cadence. I can’t imagine having to listen to it daily.

He speaks like this guy.

 

[geebster]

Time has proven that Holland and Babcock and the entire organization were being completely carried by Lidstrom.

I mean... Lidstrom is a free agent right now...

 

[The Panther]

So... this is interesting.

According to what I've read, Babcock had a meeting with Hyman, McDavid, and Draisaitl (and whoever else?) to talk about this, recently.

If nothing else, it speaks to how strong Zach Hyman's voice is in that dressing room. I assume he "liked" (if that's the word) Babcock and sold him to the other guys. Clearly then, McDavid and Drai are of the opinion that the club needed a stronger voice in the locker-room, and they are sold on the idea of Babcock cracking the whip to get everyone else in shape.

The interesting thing, of course, will be if it all goes south quickly, and McDrai finds itself under the Babcockian-wheel, getting grinded down.

I'll judge this on the results, which will take a long time to ascertain. But, I think, in general, I'm skeptical. I generally don't like the thing of bringing in the near-retirement, veteran 'hard-ass' coach with an already veteran team. There should be enough leadership from Nuge, Nurse (though he may be gone), McD, Hyman, and Drai to lead the team in the room without needing a c.2003-era coach who'll intimidate the waterboy.

By the way, I assume Coffey is into retirement, then, isn't he...?

 

[TheBrew]

They do. I've been reading up on the "only 2%" statistic and one of the traits is seeking positions of power to use and exert that power over others. And it's higher than 2% with a range suggesting as high as 6% and one doctor (Dr. Ramani) suggesting as high as 10 or even 15%.

It's also underreported because most narcissist don't regularly seek help for their disorder. Can you imagine Mike Babcock going into therapy to discuss his behaviour and treatment of other players? Me neither.

It's quite possible Mike Babcock is a f***ing narcissist but we'll never actually know because he'll never get diagnosed.

It’s possible he is. It’s also possible he’s just crappy person. No one in Edmonton will care if brings Stanley Cup number 6 back to Edmonton.

 

[Johnny Concussion]

It’s possible he is. It’s also possible he’s just crappy person. No one in Edmonton will care if brings Stanley Cup number 6 back to Edmonton.

Yeah it's plain to me that the majority of Edmonton fans don't care what Babcock does as long as he brings a cup home. I think that's problematic but who cares right? Wins over sins.

 

[thaman8765678]

So... this is interesting.

According to what I've read, Babcock had a meeting with Hyman, McDavid, and Draisaitl (and whoever else?) to talk about this, recently.

If nothing else, it speaks to how strong Zach Hyman's voice is in that dressing room. I assume he "liked" (if that's the word) Babcock and sold him to the other guys. Clearly then, McDavid and Drai are of the opinion that the club needed a stronger voice in the locker-room, and they are sold on the idea of Babcock cracking the whip to get everyone else in shape.

The interesting thing, of course, will be if it all goes south quickly, and McDrai finds itself under the Babcockian-wheel, getting grinded down.

I'll judge this on the results, which will take a long time to ascertain. But, I think, in general, I'm skeptical. I generally don't like the thing of bringing in the near-retirement, veteran 'hard-ass' coach with an already veteran team. There should be enough leadership from Nuge, Nurse (though he may be gone), McD, Hyman, and Drai to lead the team in the room without needing a c.2003-era coach who'll intimidate the waterboy.

By the way, I assume Coffey is into retirement, then, isn't he...?

For McDavid it is a last hail mary chance to win. His teammates will get bullied but all he cares about clearly is winning.

If it doesn't work out, he can just ask out next year. And the rest of the team will deal with the fallout.

 

[shpongle falls]

Edmonton has to be the worst managed team in the league in recent history right? That contract to Nurse, losing Broberg and Holloway, trading Skinner for Jarry, etc.
And now they hire this a$$clown for their head coach?

 

[Claypool]

Yeah it's plain to me that the majority of Edmonton fans don't care what Babcock does as long as he brings a cup home. I think that's problematic but who cares right? Wins over sins.

That's where I am as a fan (not of Edmonton). I only care about my team winning. I don't care about the feelings of the players. I don't care that Mitch Marner felt uncomfortable. I don't care that Franzen was yelled at. I just want my team to win.

I think with current and former players doing podcasts and being active on social media, some chronically online fans are developing a sort of parasocial relationship with them, and will side with them if they feel slighted.

 

[The Panther]

Edmonton has to be the worst managed team in the league in recent history right? That contract to Nurse, losing Broberg and Holloway, trading Skinner for Jarry, etc.
And now they hire this a$$clown for their head coach?

Well, they won the Conference two of the past three years.

By comparison, the Leafs last won three playoff series when Babe Ruth was still an All-Star...

 

[The Panther]

Yeah it's plain to me that the majority of Edmonton fans don't care what Babcock does as long as he brings a cup home. I think that's problematic but who cares right? Wins over sins.

1) Sports' fan-association is largely tribal. It's the big-money, professional, respectable realm in which adults can express a kind of brainless tribalism that's otherwise unacceptable in civilized life. 90% of the posters trashing Babcock would suddenly be warm to him if their team hired him... for reasons that aren't rational.

2) The nature of competitive sports is, indeed, "win at all costs". We can argue whether this is good or bad in the humanitarian sense, but as long as clubs are playing by the rules and nobody's getting abused... then, yeah, wins over sins. This is the nature of the beast.

As an Oilers' fan myself, I really couldn't care less what Babcock did in the past. I only care what he'll do from now. I'm not exactly optimistic, but I'll wait and see. Really, it's about wins and losses (not millionaire-athletes' cell phones).

 

[Johnny Concussion]

That's where I am as a fan (not of Edmonton). I only care about my team winning. I don't care about the feelings of the players. I don't care that Mitch Marner felt uncomfortable. I don't care that Franzen was yelled at. I just want my team to win.

I think with current and former players doing podcasts and being active on social media, some chronically online fans are developing a sort of parasocial relationship with them, and will side with them if they feel slighted.

You're talking about human f***ing beings like they're toys.

 

[shpongle falls]

Well, they won the Conference two of the past three years.

By comparison, the Leafs last won three playoff series when Babe Ruth was still an All-Star...

Valid point there mate.

 

[Johnny Concussion]

1) Sports' fan-association is largely tribal. It's the big-money, professional, respectable realm in which adults can express a kind of brainless tribalism that's otherwise unacceptable in civilized life. 90% of the posters trashing Babcock would suddenly be warm to him if their team hired him... for reasons that aren't rational.

2) The nature of competitive sports is, indeed, "win at all costs". We can argue whether this is good or bad in the humanitarian sense, but as long as clubs are playing by the rules and nobody's getting abused... then, yeah, wins over sins. This is the nature of the beast.

As an Oilers' fan myself, I really couldn't care less what Babcock did in the past. I only care what he'll do from now. I'm not exactly optimistic, but I'll wait and see. Really, it's about wins and losses (not millionaire-athletes' cell phones).

1) Brainless tribalism is ruining the world. Smarten the f*** up. Be better. Hold those in power accountable for shitty actions regardless if it benefits your tribe.
2) Refer back to 1.

 

[The Panther]

1) Brainless tribalism is ruining the world. Smarten the f*** up. Be better. Hold those in power accountable for shitty actions regardless if it benefits your tribe.

We're talking about pro-sports here, friend, not "the world". I'm suggesting that pro-sports is a different thing from real life. And it has always been so. It's hardly a new thing.

NHL coaches were far bigger dicks in about 1945 than they are today...

 

[Johnny Concussion]

We're talking about pro-sports here, friend, not "the world". I'm suggesting that pro-sports is a different thing from real life. And it has always been so. It's hardly a new thing.

NHL coaches were far bigger dicks in about 1945 than they are today...

Whatever man. Justify it to yourself however you please. Enjoy your scumbag coach and I hope your pillow is hot on both sides tonight.