Making sense of the Oilers' decision to hire Mike Babcock

His resume will command respect no matter what anyone may think of him personally. 

Controversy aside and Babcock would already be a shoe in for the Hockey Hall of Fame. However, allegations of bullying and improper conduct exiled the championship coach. 

Connor McDavid, Oilers leadership are all in on Mike Babcock as head coach  

Despite his desire to return to coaching, Babcock had to ensure Oilers leadership was all in. 

"Unless you are 100% all in on Mike Babcock, I have no interest in being the coach," Babcock said he told Oilers leaders.

McDavid, Draisaitl, Hayman and company are all in, according to Babcock, because they want to win above all else.

After a first-round exit that followed back-to-back losses in the Stanley Cup Final, the frustration looming over Edmonton's top players reached a breaking point. Having already achieved everything imaginable from an individual perspective, including being named the Conn Smythe winner in a losing effort, McDavid preached everyone needing to be held accountable in his season-exit interview.  

"It was tough. We were an average team all year. An average team with high expectations. You're going to be disappointed," said McDavid. 

Mike Babcock will hold everyone accountable  

With his legacy on the line, McDavid coveted someone able to help him hold the entire roster accountable and make sure the intensity level is at a high in big games, something most notably lacking on the defensive end in their first-round elimination to the Ducks.  

Babcock is more than willing to do that and said as much during his introductory media session on Tuesday. 

"There’s going to be lots of hard communication, but as long as that communication is straightforward and behind closed doors and respectful of one another, you have a chance to improve the organization and get better," Babcock said.

If nothing else, Babcock may be that final lever to pull before McDavid, with only two years left on his current deal, will have to decide if he wants to stick around or leave in the interest of adding a Stanley Cup to his otherwise full resume.