Historically, the Edmonton Oilers get out of the gate slowly, like the sleepy Chihuahua in the famous GIF. The most famous recent example cost coach Jay Woodcroft his job. In 2023-24, the year Edmonton made the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in 18 years, Woodcroft’s crew began the year 3-9-1, leading then-general manager Ken Holland to fire him. Kris Knoblauch replaced Woodcroft, and the team romped to Game 7 of the final against the Florida Panthers.Will this season see a slow start? There are reasons to be concerned, and the solutions could rock the team in the short term.The Connor McDavid-Leon Draisaitl deploymentAt his introductory media availability, Babcock was frank about what will happen on the ice in Edmonton. He talked about his conversation with the team’s leadership group (Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman) and told the media, “I was very clear to them: unless you’re 100 percent all in on Mike Babcock, I have no interest in being the coach.” There’s not much room for misunderstanding with that starting point.Babcock also said, “I went through in detail the changes that would have to be made for us to have success when it mattered,” and that will mean some adjustment for the players.The biggest adjustment this fall? Some fans will say McDavid. He is an exceptional outscorer, with a massive goal percentage edge at five-on-five. Those who criticize the captain for not backchecking or missing assignments overlook the enormous advantage he represents every shift.McDavid exceeded a 60 percent goal share in 2016-17 and 2023-24, an outstanding total. In addition, his line scored 4.38 goals per 60 in 2023-24, the highest in McDavid’s career via Natural Stat Trick. His most common linemates were Zach Hyman (919 minutes) and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (532 minutes). When McDavid plays with elite talent, the top line goes supernova, giving Edmonton a five-on-five line with outscoring results normally expected from a power play.Draisaitl and McDavid have delivered magic for years together. Babcock is looking for an extreme edge with the idea of placing McDavid and Draisaitl together. However, the two men were not as productive together in 2025-26.YearMinsGoals-60Goal Pct2022-234694.09572023-244664.89642024-254064.57632025-263183.453All numbers five-on-five, via Natural Stat TrickIf the chemistry is there, and one would be wise to bet on it, Babcock might plan to run Nugent-Hopkins as the second-line centre. That said, the numbers last season were poor with Nugent-Hopkins in that role. His line had a 37 percent goal share and scored 1.6 goals per 60 when playing away from McDavid and Draisaitl.Many fans think Babcock will fade the idea of McDavid-Draisaitl together, but every coach since Todd McLellan has found it impossible to resist. Though it’s possible, though unlikely, that Nugent-Hopkins will enjoy a renaissance on the second line, the worry is Babcock might take an extended period to conclude the team is without an above-average second-line centre if the two big talents play together. That could cost some early-season games. If that scenario becomes reality, Babcock would probably agitate for an upgrade, engaging general manager Stan Bowman to acquire a veteran second-line centre.