Speculation: Top offseason target: Mike Babcock

[Roof Daddy]

If we won the draft lottery, cleaned house in upper management, and gave the right kind of money (6 per sounds about right), it could be in the realm of possibilities. From there, what would be ideal is:

- give Babcock VP status, giving him equal say on roster decisions (a la Patrick Roy).

- hire an interm GM with a ton of experience who understands the timeline (ie: Babcock eyeing full time management position eventually).

- keep Nelson as an associate coach, running the D and the PP (with the understanding he gets the full time gig once Babcock moves into management).

In 3-5 years, Babcock becomes GM, Nelson becomes full time coach, both get the necessary training before they're given the reigns, AND we now have people players will actually want to play for (meaning free agency actually becomes a viable option).

 

[Fourier]

Chasing Babcock is like the old days when they went for Heatley or Hossa while neglecting everything else that needed to get done. Unless MacT is fired in May or very early June this is a waste of time. He won't come to the Oilers without player input. That is about 100% clear. And MacT is not going to be a GM he will want to work under given the owners loyalty.

Get the coaching issue out of the way and put the effort into improving the team.