Connor McDavid and head coach Mike Babcock are already facing pressure before the Edmonton Oilers have played a game.
Ozoon posted odds of +350 on Babcock being fired before Edmonton's first game of the 2027-28 regular season.
That isn't a report that a coaching change is coming. It's a betting market turning Edmonton's bench into an immediate storyline.
The caption, “We've seen this show before,” adds another layer. Babcock's return behind an NHL bench was always going to attract attention beyond line combinations and special teams.
Now every difficult stretch could feed the discussion. A slow start, an extended losing streak or visible frustration on the bench would quickly move the focus toward his job security.
The timing also matters. Edmonton hasn't reached puck drop, yet the possibility of Babcock failing to complete the season is already being sold as a wager.
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Mike Babcock is already facing major pressure before his first Oilers game
The +350 price places real attention on the coaching situation, but it shouldn't be treated as confirmation that the Oilers are preparing a move.
Sportsbooks create markets designed to attract action. Public interest around Babcock and Edmonton makes this kind of prop easy to promote, especially before the season produces harder evidence.
Still, the post captures the stakes surrounding the Oilers. This is a roster expected to compete, not a rebuilding club with room to absorb months of poor results.
That changes the standard for Babcock. Strong regular-season stretches won't silence every question if Edmonton's structure slips, the power play stalls or the locker room stops responding.
His communication will be watched as closely as his deployment. Every healthy scratch, reduced role and late-game bench decision could become part of a larger debate.
The Oilers also know how quickly outside pressure can grow in a Canadian market. One ugly homestand can turn a speculative prop into a daily topic around the team.
For now, Babcock hasn't lost anything except the benefit of a quiet opening. The odds are public, the conversation has started and Edmonton's results will decide whether it fades or gains force.
Will Mike Babcock finish the 2026-27 season with the Oilers?
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