Sidney Crosby gives a strong opinion on new Oilers coach Mike Babcock
Photo credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Sidney Crosby called new Oilers coach Mike Babcock highly organized, pointing to his bench management and clear communication style.
Sidney Crosby offered a strong endorsement of Mike Babcock this week, telling reporters the new Edmonton Oilers coach brings serious organization to the bench.
The Pittsburgh Penguins captain made the comments during the NHL Player Media Tour on Tuesday, sharing his thoughts with Michael Traikos of The Hockey News.
"Really organized. Really good bench management when it comes to matching lines…just a feel for the game. He was really good at painting a clear picture on how he wanted us to play and what guys' jobs were.”
- Sidney Crosby
- Sidney Crosby
Crosby's history with Babcock goes back more than a decade.
The two won Olympic gold together in Vancouver in 2010 and again in Sochi in 2014, with Crosby scoring the country's golden goal against the United States on home ice.
They reunited for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, where Canada took the title and Crosby was named tournament MVP.
What Crosby had to say about Babcock
According to Crosby, Babcock stood out for his bench management, particularly when it came to matching lines and reading the flow of a game.
Crosby also pointed to how clearly Babcock communicated roles, saying every player on his teams knew exactly what was expected of them on a shift by shift basis.
The praise comes at an interesting time for Edmonton.
Babcock's hiring in June ended a six year absence from NHL benches after the league cleared him following an investigation into his brief and turbulent run with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023.
That stretch never saw him coach a single regular season game before he stepped away.
Why the Oilers turned to Babcock
Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman were reportedly involved in vetting Babcock themselves before general manager Stan Bowman finalized the hire.
The trio has said they wanted a coach willing to hold the team's top players accountable, even if that means tougher conversations during rough patches this season.
Edmonton is hoping Babcock's championship pedigree, a Stanley Cup with Detroit in 2008 and those two Olympic gold medals with Crosby, can help push the Oilers over the top after back to back trips to the Final.
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