What happened: Leon Draisaitl said Mike Babcock speaks directly and does not shy away from face-to-face conversations. He added that the Oilers’ players share a common goal of winning.

Why it matters: The comments offer an early read on the relationship between Edmonton’s new coach and one of its leaders. They also extend Draisaitl’s recent offseason comments about the club’s preparation for 2026-27.

What to watch: Babcock’s first training camp with Edmonton is the next test of that tone. Attention will turn to how his direct style translates into daily work and team decisions.