Former NHLer takes another heavy shot at Mike Babcock and the Oilers despite 6-1-1 start
Photo credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Mike Commodore says Edmonton's strong start under Mike Babcock doesn't impress him yet, pointing to Carolina and Florida as the real tests.
Former NHL defenseman Mike Commodore isn't ready to give Edmonton any credit just yet.
On the Clearing the Crease podcast, he took another swipe at Oilers head coach Mike Babcock, calling him Scumbag Babs, and said he's playing the long game with the new bench boss.
Commodore did admit the Oilers have started strong.
His argument is that Edmonton hasn't faced the league's toughest competition yet.
He told Oilers fans to enjoy it, but pointed out that the Hurricanes and Panthers are nowhere on the list of teams they've beaten.
“Hey, nice start Edmonton Oilers fans, but hey, you didn't just go through the gauntlet. I don't see any Carolina Hurricanes in there, I don't see any Florida Panthers…”
- Mike Commodore
- Mike Commodore
Commodore played for Babcock briefly in Detroit back in 2011, and he has been one of the most vocal critics of the hire this spring.
A hot start in Edmonton
The record gives Oilers fans plenty to enjoy.
Edmonton is 6-1-1 through eight games, and its only regulation loss came to Utah on Oct. 15.
That defeat ended a five-game winning streak, and the Oilers bounced back with a 6-2 win in Salt Lake City on Saturday.
They've done it while missing Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for much of the run.
Babcock took the job on June 23, after Edmonton fired Kris Knoblauch on May 14.
It marks his return to an NHL bench after Toronto fired him 23 games into the 2019-20 season.
The real tests are coming
Commodore's timing is interesting, because the schedule is about to get heavier.
The Oilers host Minnesota on Tuesday, then welcome the Hurricanes on Thursday, Oct. 22 and the Maple Leafs on Saturday, Oct. 24.
Florida comes up on Nov. 17, when Edmonton visits the Panthers.
So the answer to Commodore's challenge is coming fast.
Now the Oilers finally get the type of opponent he says has been missing.
We'll find out soon whether the hot start holds up or the doubters had a point.
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