Misha Donskov's Oilers move had a Mike Babcock twist few saw coming
Photo credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect
Misha Donskov detailed the long friendship with Mike Babcock and chance meeting with Stan Bowman that led to his new consulting role with the Oilers.
Misha Donskov's move to Edmonton isn't as random as it might have looked from the outside.
Speaking with Sports1440, the new Oilers coaching consultant walked through exactly how the opportunity came together, and it turns out he and Mike Babcock go back more than a decade.
Donskov explained that he first worked under Babcock as part of his staff at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, a connection that clearly stuck with both of them.
According to Donskov, Babcock reached out to him over the summer and pitched the idea of joining Edmonton's staff in some capacity.
The two went back and forth before things really came together during an unexpected run in.
Donskov met Oilers general manager Stan Bowman in person while he was in town for the Hlinka Gretzky tournament, and that meeting helped seal the deal.
Donskov describes what the role actually looks like
Donskov won't be behind the bench full time.
Instead, he'll bring his international and NHL experience into the fold, spending roughly six days a month in Edmonton while supporting the coaching staff remotely the rest of the time.
"It is a unique opportunity. I've know Mike (Babcock) for over 10 years. I was fortunate to be on his staff at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. Babs reached out to me in the summer and laid out this opportunity. We went back and forth and then I met Stan Bowman in Edmonton when I was in town for the Hlinka/Gretzky tournament.
My role is about sharing my ideas and information from my experience Internationally and in the NHL. I will be in Edmonton roughly six days a month and then the rest of the month I will be supporting the staff remotely. I've also coached with DJ (Smith), so I feel comfortable communicating with both of them as well as Farley (Paul McFarland). Knowing them and having worked with them makes it a good fit."
- Misha Donskov
My role is about sharing my ideas and information from my experience Internationally and in the NHL. I will be in Edmonton roughly six days a month and then the rest of the month I will be supporting the staff remotely. I've also coached with DJ (Smith), so I feel comfortable communicating with both of them as well as Farley (Paul McFarland). Knowing them and having worked with them makes it a good fit."
- Misha Donskov
That kind of setup means familiarity matters, and Donskov has plenty of it.
He's previously coached alongside D.J. Smith, so the two already have a working relationship, and he said he also feels comfortable communicating with assistant coach Paul McFarland.
Why the fit made sense for everyone involved
Donskov pointed to those existing relationships as a big reason the arrangement came together so smoothly.
Having already worked with Babcock, Smith and McFarland gave him a level of comfort most outside hires simply don't get walking into a new organization.
For Edmonton, adding a voice with that much international pedigree without disrupting the day to day structure of the coaching staff looks like a low risk move with real upside as the Oilers gear up for another shot at the Stanley Cup.
Also read on House Of Hockey :
Calle Jarnkrok exposes Craig Berube after frustrating final years with Maple Leafs
Calle Jarnkrok exposes Craig Berube after frustrating final years with Maple Leafs