McDavid Leads NHL Scoring and Early MVP Race
Key Questions
Did Connor McDavid support the hiring of Mike Babcock?
Yes, McDavid and other stars including Draisaitl, Hyman, and Dickinson explicitly endorsed Babcock. McDavid called him the 'perfect fit' for the Oilers. Management consulted the players but retained final authority over the decision.
Why did the Oilers hire Mike Babcock despite his controversies?
The decision was driven by a need for accountability and a 'bad cop' coaching approach to instill structure. Babcock's bold pre-hire comments to McDavid and Draisaitl were seen as part of establishing that discipline. The hire reflects desperation to turn around recent performance.
How might Babcock's system affect McDavid's scoring?
Analysts predict McDavid's points could drop to the low-to-mid 130s under Babcock's structured system. However, extra games in the schedule might offset some of the reduction. Suggestions include reducing McDavid and Draisaitl's five-on-five ice time while keeping power-play minutes intact.
What do analysts say about Babcock's coaching ranking?
The Hockey News ranked Babcock 28th out of 32 NHL coaches shortly after the hire. Analytics communities remain skeptical about his potential impact on the Oilers. This adds public pressure during the early transition period.
What role did player endorsements play in Babcock's hiring?
Hyman's endorsement highlighted Babcock's structure and teaching ability with specific quotes. McDavid and Draisaitl also voiced strong support, calling him a perfect fit. Management emphasized that players were consulted but did not choose the coach.
McDavid has 23 points (six goals, 17 assists) through eight games after his five-point night against Utah, scoring in every game. He credits health and the team’s strong play for the start; analysis warns that his 241-point pace is unrealistic while describing 160 points as a remarkable but conceivable milestone. These projections remain speculative, and no newer totals are reported.