Mike Babcock’s First Test: Can the Oilers Shake Off Their Early‑Season Curse?

When the Oilers announced that Mike Babcock would be back behind the bench, the reaction was immediate and, frankly, a little hostile. Social‑media threads lit up, pundits raised eyebrows, and a sizable chunk of the fanbase seemed ready to pick up the knives. In a sport where a coach’s reputation can swing wildly from hero to scapegoat in a single season, Babcock’s re‑entry feels like stepping onto a tightrope.

That’s not the only pressure the team faces, though. The Oilers have a notorious history of stumbling out of the gate. In the past eight campaigns, Edmonton started poorly enough to cost two head coaches—Todd McLellan and Jay Woodcroft—their jobs. Even Kris Knoblauch, who led the squad to back‑to‑back Stanley Cup finals, couldn’t escape a weak opening stretch two years in a row.

Now, with a fresh roster centered around super‑stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the expectation is that the “Babcock‑McDavid/Draisaitl” combo can finally put that ugly monkey behind them. The rest of the league is watching, and the first three games of the season could set the tone for everything that follows.

On The FAN Hockey Show, Sportsnet co‑hosts Matt Marchese and former LA Kings assistant GM Mike Futa broke down the Oilers’ opening slate. Vancouver and Seattle—both of which missed the playoffs last year—are the first opponents, followed by a third meeting with Seattle. “If Edmonton doesn’t start perfect or near‑perfect, there’s going to be some explaining to do,” Marchese warned.

Futa agreed, noting that the real question remains goaltending. “We still don’t know who will be the backbone in net,” he said, “and that’s always been a lingering doubt.” Still, he pointed out that the Oilers are coming off a grueling stretch of Stanley Cup finals play, meaning the players are finally rested after years of heavy mileage.

There was a lighter moment when Futa joked, “I think Connor might have done the schedule.” It was a simple quip, but it underscored a deeper truth: the first ten games are anything but a cake walk. After the soft start, Edmonton will face Anaheim, San Jose, Los Angeles, Utah twice, Minnesota and Carolina—each a solid playoff contender.

If the Oilers can rack up six wins in that stretch, the narrative will shift dramatically. Winning early has always been the quickest antidote to unpopularity in pro hockey. A hot start would give Babcock some breathing room and, perhaps more importantly, restore confidence among a fanbase that’s been hovering between hope and skepticism.

Beyond the on‑ice performance, there’s an off‑ice drama playing out. The hiring of Babcock has been a lightning rod for controversy, with many questioning whether his tenure is meant to be a two‑year window to lock in McDavid’s current contract extension. Draisaitl himself hinted at the urgency, suggesting that the team can’t afford a prolonged rebuild.

All of this means that the early schedule, while seemingly soft, is actually a crucible. The Oilers need goaltending solidity, a bit of puck luck, and perhaps a touch of the old‑school grit that Babcock is known for. Anything less, and the critics will be louder than ever.

So, as the first puck drops in Edmonton, the question isn’t just who will win the game—it’s whether the Oilers can finally shake the early‑season curse that has haunted them for nearly a decade.