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Edmonton Oilers coach Mike Babcock acknowledged his coaching as the reason behind the team's defensive struggles despite scoring 14 goals in their first two games of the 2026-27 season. The Oilers allowed 13 goals, with individual defensemen like Jake Walman and newcomer Shakir Mukhamadullin struggling defensively. Babcock emphasized that while he is not pleased with the high number of goals given up, it provides a critical area to focus on for improvement as they prepare for their next game against the Seattle Kraken.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-02,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
In early 2026, the Edmonton Oilers faced defensive struggles despite their offensive prowess led by Connor McDavid. The team scored 14 goals but conceded 13 across their first two games against the Vancouver Canucks, taking three of four possible points. New coach Mike Babcock acknowledged that poor defense was an issue in the previous season and continues to be this year. After practice on a Friday in Edmonton, Babcock stated, "I think it’s coaching," stressing defensive play with particular focus on defenseman Jake Walman and new player Shakir Mukhamadullin ahead of their upcoming game against the Seattle Kraken. Walman was even benched during one part of Thursday's 9-7 victory in Vancouver for his poor performance.
Written for “Oilers Defensive Struggles” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 1 other(s) covering the same event.
EDMONTON – Scoring goals is not a problem for the Connor McDavid-led Edmonton Oilers.
asserted
Scoring → score → Oilers
Keeping the puck out of their net is another matter, despite new coach Mike Babcock stressing defence throughout training camp.
asserted
Babcock → keep → camp
Edmonton scored 14 goals in its first two games, taking three of four possible points against the Vancouver Canucks, but gave up 13.
asserted
Edmonton → score → 13
“I think it’s coaching.
asserted
it → think → ?
I think it’s coaching,” Babcock said when asked after practice Friday morning about the Oilers’ defensive issues.
asserted
Babcock → think → issues
“Do I want to give up all those goals?
asserted
I → want → goals
Not really interested in that, but the bottom line is it gives us something to work on and get better,” he said.
asserted
he → give → something
“If it wasn’t this early, I might be (worried), but we’ll get back to work and worry about it later.”
uncertain
we → get → it
Babcock and the coaching staff were back stressing defensive play at practice Friday in preparation for Saturday evening’s game against the Seattle Kraken, with particular focus on Jake Walman and newcomer Shakir Mukhamadullin on the blue line.
asserted
Babcock → stress → line
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Walman was benched at one point in Thursday’s 9-7 win in Vancouver and finished minus-3, while Mukhamadullin was minus-6 through two games.
asserted
Mukhamadullin → get → games
“Sometimes that happens,” Walman said Friday.
asserted
Walman → happen → ?
“You have to get back to your game as quickly as possible.
asserted
You → have → game
Nobody wants to correct his mistake more than the guy on the ice, and that’s me.”
asserted
that → want → ice
The veteran defenceman, like his teammates, refused to blame goaltenders Tristan Jarry and Devon Levi.
asserted
defenceman → refuse → Jarry
Jarry gave up six goals on 23 shots in the Oilers’ 6-5 overtime loss at home, while Levi surrendered seven on 22 shots in a 9-7 win in Vancouver.
asserted
Levi → give → Vancouver
“When you let in that many goals, it’s a team thing for sure,” said Walman.
asserted
Walman → let → goals
“In that first game we gave up three or four breakaways, a couple of two-on-one odd-man rushes, so percentages aren’t looking good.
asserted
percentages → give → rushes
“It’s great to be scoring goals.
asserted
It → ’ → goals
We know we can do that, but the next step in our game is keeping it out of our net.
asserted
step → know → net
I thought we’ve got a lot of new stuff going on and just trying to get it all together.
asserted
lot → think → it
I think we’re doing a great job of piecing it bit by bit.
asserted
we → think → bit
We’re on our way to putting it all together.”
asserted
We → ’re → it
Walman said things got out of control Thursday after the Oilers built an 8-2 lead midway through the game and then had to hang on for the win.
asserted
Oilers → say → win
“Coaches have been doing a good job of putting it in our heads to not take your foot off the gas,” he said.
asserted
he → do → gas
“For whatever reason, last game it just compounded a bit.
asserted
it → compound → reason
When we let in a couple of goals, it just kind of spiralled a bit.”
asserted
it → let → goals
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 2, 2026.
asserted
report → publish → Press
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