As the Edmonton Oilers continue their somewhat embarrassing offseason, another name has risen to the surface as a potential new head coach. Darryl Sutter, formerly of the Chicago Blackhawks, San Jose Sharks, Calgary Flames, LA Kings, and then the Calgary Flames once again, is apparently being considered for the Oilers' vacant coaching position.
Sutter has two Stanley Cup rings as a coach to Mike Babcock's one. He's also gotten to the Stanley Cup Final with more than one franchise, taking the Flames all the way to Game 7 back in 2004, and then returning to the Finals and coming away with Cup wins as coach of the LA Kings in 2012 and 2014. His all-time coaching record is 737-530-101-111, capturing 57 percent of standings points. Babcock sits at a career 60.8 percent, but two of his more recent seasons as a head coach are sub-50 percent, while Sutter hasn't finished that poorly since he coached a very bad Sharks team in 2002.
Oilers leadership wants to be pushed
Rumor has it that the Oilers' best players, such as Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman, want to be pushed. They want a coach who will demand the best from them, and their teammates, night in and night out, even if that means things get a little unpleasant in the room. While everyone agrees that Babcock can make a dressing room unpleasant, Sutter's firm hand could add the structure and expectations the players crave, without turning into further headlines and investigations.
The Oilers underperformed in 2025-26, so it's understandable that the players want something different. Looking at the Vegas Golden Knights, we can see both sides of the coin. John Tortorella parachuted in and immediately right that ship, claiming a Pacific Division title with a late season run, and taking the Knights all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals. But we also have to look at the Finals results. Rod Brind'Amour is a very different coach, clearly loved by his players, and it was Brind'Amour who lifted the Cup above his head when all was said and done.
Both Sutter and Babcock have been out of the league for a while. Both may not have the strategic chops to keep up with the most brilliant coaching minds in the NHL. And while both have found success with elite rosters, one of these names brings a whole lot more baggage with it. Sutter wouldn't be my choice as head coach, but i'd pick him over Babcock in a split second.
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