The Oilers Have a New Coach. But Do They Have a New Team?

Writer Old Prof questions whether the Edmonton Oilers have truly changed under new coach Mike Babcock despite early mixed results. After opening the season with a 6-5 overtime loss and a chaotic 9-7 victory against the Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton earned a structured 3-1 win over the Seattle Kraken. Old Prof argues that changing a team's habits takes time rather than happening overnight.

Goaltender Devon Levi rebounded from conceding seven goals in his debut to make 19 saves against Seattle, winning both of his early starts. Meanwhile, injuries to key forwards including Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Jason Dickinson, Mattias Janmark, and Zach Hyman have tested the roster's depth, opening opportunities for players like Vasily Podkolzin.