Mike Babcock's Oilers contract reportedly includes an intriguing twist

The Edmonton Oilers kept the terms of Mike Babcock's contract close to the vest when they hired him this summer, and for weeks nobody outside the organization knew what the deal looked like.

That's starting to change.

According to a report citing someone with direct knowledge of the situation, with a hat tip to Pierre LeBrun, Babcock signed a three year contract that also includes an option year.

It's the kind of structure that gives both sides some flexibility depending on how things play out behind the Edmonton bench this season.

An option year is essentially a built in trial period disguised as job security.

If Babcock and the Oilers hit their stride together, both sides can move forward without renegotiating from scratch.

If it doesn't work, there's a natural exit point without the awkwardness of a long term commitment gone wrong.

Given the scrutiny surrounding this hire, that structure makes sense.

Babcock has a track record of winning, but his fit with a room built around Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl was always going to be the real test.

That's exactly the debate playing out publicly right now.

The Oilers are heading into training camp with a coach who has something to prove after his abrupt Columbus exit years ago, and stars who have already made deep playoff runs without a Cup to show for it.

If Babcock gets the group buying in early, the option year conversation could look very different by next spring.

For now, this remains unconfirmed by the team itself, but if accurate, it suggests the Oilers built in a natural checkpoint rather than locking into a lengthy commitment right away.

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