Healthy scratches show what Mike Babcock is trying to establish as coach of the Oilers

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“Well, he sits down and meets with me again here today, and we go through the whole process,” Babcock said. “And then you have a look at, ’What am I going to do?’”

Babcock recalled teaching his kids when they were younger about not letting a coach be mentally tougher than them or anyone else determine their direction. He wants his players to take on that mentality.

“When you get prepared for your opportunity, when you get it, you’re normally ready,” Babcock said. “When you feel bad, when you don’t put in the work and you feel sorry for yourself, when you get the opportunity, you’re not ready. Now, I’m not trying to pretend life is fair. But I’m going to say to you, ’Embrace whatever you’ve been given and make it better.'”

Walman being on the outside looking in for a matinee at the New York Islanders on Saturday is obvious to teammates who want to be supportive but also let the 30-year-old work through his struggles.

“Wally is a veteran, and I think he knows what he needs to do to get back in and impress our coaching staff in a way that they’re not able to take him out anymore,” Draisaitl said. “Wally’s been in the league, and he knows how to deal with it.”

Walman was with the Oilers when they made their second consecutive trip to the Cup final in 2025. But he was also around last spring when they got eliminated in the first round, prompting the firing of Kris Knoblauch, the hiring of Babcock as his replacement and other moves designed to prevent another early playoff exit.

Babcock is building the foundation of that now, with Walman the latest example of what has changed for a team with championship expectations.

“I can’t — anybody on our team can’t — play for him,” Ekholm said. “He knows that too. But at the same time, we can also help him. We are a family in here, and we all want this team to be as best we can. He’s a big part of that.”

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See AP’s full NHL coverage here

Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press