3 Oilers Who Could Benefit Most From Mike Babcock’s Arrival

While Mike Babcock's impact on Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl will be closely scrutinized, several other Edmonton Oilers players could see significant advantages from the coaching change. Babcock's emphasis on organizational depth and General Manager Stan Bowman's desire to involve more players in the game are key factors.

This approach is particularly relevant for Colton Dach, Jason Dickinson, and Shakir Mukhamadullin. Dach aims to be more than just a fourth-line energy player, Dickinson brings the defensive strengths Babcock historically values, and Mukhamadullin is a young defenseman still defining his NHL role. If Babcock successfully implements his vision of making every player crucial, these three could be major beneficiaries.

Dickinson Fits Babcock’s Two-Way Approach

Jason Dickinson's game already aligns with Babcock's coaching priorities, requiring minimal transformation. Acquired for his defensive reliability to bolster Edmonton's bottom six, Dickinson quickly became the third-line center, handling assignments not suited for the star offensive players. Despite modest offensive output, his value lay in his defensive zone deployments and penalty-killing contributions. The Oilers' investment in him, evident in a five-year, $20 million contract, suggests a desire for a more integral role than simply filling minutes. Babcock's focus on structure, defensive responsibility, and clear player expectations plays directly into Dickinson's established strengths. His versatility at center or wing, combined with his ability to take defensive faceoffs and match up against opposing forwards, offers Babcock valuable flexibility. As Bowman noted the disconnect experienced by depth players due to limited ice time, Dickinson is well-positioned to avoid this issue with a more balanced lineup, potentially becoming a key contributor outside the top six with a consistent 14-16 minute role focused on defensive duties and penalty killing.

Mukhamadullin Could Earn Real Responsibility

Shakir Mukhamadullin enters a less defined situation. Acquired as the main piece in the Darnell Nurse trade, the 24-year-old defenseman has 83 NHL games of experience, leaving questions about his future role – a third-pair defenseman or a top-four blueliner. Bowman highlighted Mukhamadullin's size, reach, shot, and penalty-killing ability, along with his flexibility playing on the left side while accustomed to the right, as assets for a Babcock-coached team. While he doesn't need to replace Nurse directly, the revamped blue line allows Babcock to establish a new hierarchy. For a young defenseman, the risk of being confined to a limited third-pair role, where mistakes can lead to reduced ice time and hinder confidence, is significant. However, Babcock and Bowman aim to avoid this detrimental cycle for supporting players. Babcock's stated goal of making "everybody on this team has to be important" presents a crucial test for Mukhamadullin. The Oilers should explore giving him opportunities on the penalty kill and at five-on-five, rather than strictly limiting his deployment. His significant shorthanded minutes last season and Bowman's acknowledgment of this as a strength provide a clear avenue for an immediate role, especially given the Oilers' penalty kill struggles last season. While a top-four job isn't guaranteed, providing sufficient responsibility will allow him to prove his potential.

Colton Dach Could Be Babcock’s Biggest Beneficiary

Colton Dach is particularly vocal about the opportunities Babcock's arrival may present. Despite an injury limiting him to eight regular-season games after his trade from Chicago, Dach made an immediate impact with two goals and four points in limited ice time. He also brought a much-needed physical element, recording 219 hits across both teams and 30 hits in his short stint with the Oilers. His report card suggested he provided a physical identity to the bottom six while showing enough offensive upside to be more than just a fourth-line enforcer. Dach believes Babcock's style, which emphasizes work ethic and effort, will suit him well, and he's openly expressed his desire for a larger role. At 23 years old, 6'4", and 218 pounds, Dach represents an inexpensive power forward option at a $1.2 million cap hit, a valuable asset for a team with significant salary cap commitments to its core players. A larger role doesn't necessarily mean playing with McDavid but could involve increasing his ice time from approximately 10 minutes to 12-13, receiving more opportunities during injuries, and avoiding shortened benches. Dach's potential offense, evidenced by his strong start, coupled with his ability to drive to the net and battle below the goal line, makes him a valuable complement to more skilled linemates. His physicality aligns with the competitive environment Babcock intends to foster. While effort alone won't guarantee more ice time, a player whose strengths are work rate, forechecking, and physical engagement has a clear path to earning the coach's trust, making Dach potentially the biggest beneficiary of the coaching change.

Babcock’s Depth Promise Will Be Tested Early

Ultimately, the Oilers' success will hinge on their stars, McDavid and Draisaitl, and Babcock's ability to extract even more from them. However, the coaching change's success also depends on improving the performance of the supporting players. Bowman emphasized that last season was "far too tilted" towards a few players, and the team cannot repeat a year where depth players were marginalized. The solution isn't equal ice time but identifying roles that empower the bottom half of the roster. Dickinson can handle defensive assignments, Mukhamadullin offers size, mobility, and penalty-killing potential, and Dach brings physicality and potential offense. Mistakes are inevitable, especially with younger players like Dach and Mukhamadullin, but the organization must remain committed to this approach rather than abandoning it when challenges arise. The Oilers hired Babcock to foster a team that can rely on more than just six or seven players in crucial moments. Dickinson, Mukhamadullin, and Dach represent three clear opportunities to test this strategy. If Babcock fulfills his promise of making every Oiler important, these players could gain the most from his arrival.