‘I think it’s coaching’: Babcock takes blame for Oilers’ defensive struggles

Edmonton Oilers' new coach Mike Babcock has taken responsibility for the team's defensive struggles this season. Despite scoring goals being a strong suit, led by Connor McDavid, keeping the puck out of the net remains an ongoing challenge. Babcock reiterated his stance on defense during a recent practice, emphasizing it as an area for improvement.

The Oilers' defensive issues have been consistent, mirroring last season's challenges. In their first two games of the 2026-27 season, Edmonton scored 14 goals but conceded 13. Prior to a game against the Seattle Kraken, Babcock and the coaching staff focused on defensive play, specifically mentioning Jake Walman and new addition Shakir Mukhamadullin on the blue line.

Walman and Mukhamadullin, who were both negative in plus/minus statistics in their first two games, acknowledged the need to rectify mistakes quickly. Walman highlighted that conceding goals from breakaways and odd-man rushes has negatively impacted the team's percentage. Despite conceding goals, he insisted that the team is piecing things together and making progress.

Walman also expressed confidence in the coaching staff's efforts to keep the team's focus on defense, stating that it's crucial to maintain their offensive momentum while addressing defensive concerns.