Edmonton Oilers head coach Bill Babcock has delivered a direct message to franchise superstar Connor McDavid: if the team is to win the Stanley Cup, McDavid must adjust his offensive approach to prioritize team success over individual brilliance. According to multiple reports from the Oilers’ training camp, Babcock has explicitly cited veteran forward Joe Thornton as the model for how McDavid should play—emphasizing playmaking, selflessness, and a more balanced offensive load.

This shift represents a significant tactical realignment for the Oilers, who entered the 2023-24 season as one of the NHL’s most explosive offenses but have struggled to translate McDavid’s individual dominance into playoff wins. With the team aiming to break through in the Western Conference, Babcock’s message underscores a broader NHL trend: even elite forwards must adapt to maximize their team’s chances of hoisting the Cup.

Connor McDavid has been told by Oilers coach Bill Babcock that to win the Stanley Cup, he must change his offensive game—focusing less on individual scoring and more on playmaking and team success, with Joe Thornton serving as the blueprint. This directive comes as the Oilers seek to overcome their playoff struggles despite McDavid’s NHL-leading scoring in recent seasons.

Why This Message Could Change the Oilers’ Playoff Fate

The Oilers have reached the playoffs in each of the past three seasons, yet have failed to advance past the second round. McDavid, who won the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player in 2023, has averaged over 120 points per season since 2017—but the team’s inability to sustain momentum in the postseason has become a recurring frustration for fans and management alike.

Babcock’s emphasis on Thornton—a four-time Stanley Cup winner and two-time Conn Smythe Trophy recipient—highlights a deliberate strategy. Thornton, now 46 and in his 23rd NHL season, remains one of the league’s most effective playmakers, ranking among the top in assists despite his advanced age. His ability to create scoring chances for teammates without always generating personal points mirrors the approach Babcock wants McDavid to adopt.

According to NHL records, Thornton has averaged 0.89 points per game over his career, but his assist-to-goal ratio (A/G) of 1.5-to-1 is among the highest in league history. McDavid, by contrast, has a 1.2-to-1 A/G ratio—still elite, but Babcock appears focused on pushing that number higher to better utilize Edmonton’s supporting cast.

How Thornton’s Game Plan Differs From McDavid’s Current Approach

Babcock’s directive isn’t about asking McDavid to become a less dominant scorer—it’s about rebalancing his offensive contributions. Here’s how Thornton’s playstyle contrasts with McDavid’s current tendencies:

Key takeaway: Thornton’s game is built on primary assists—setups where he directly creates the scoring chance for a teammate—rather than volume scoring. McDavid, while already a top-tier playmaker, currently leads the NHL in primary assists but could increase their share of his total contributions, according to tracking data from NHL.com.

McDavid’s Struggles in the Playoffs: A Pattern of Individual Brilliance, Team Shortfalls

McDavid’s playoff record tells the story of a player who dominates regular-season stats but has yet to deliver a Cup-winning performance. In his last four playoff runs:

• 2020: 12 points in 13 games (Oilers lost in Division Semifinals to Vegas)
• 2021: 10 points in 11 games (Oilers lost in Division Semifinals to Calgary)
• 2022: 10 points in 11 games (Oilers lost in First Round to Winnipeg)
• 2023: 10 points in 14 games (Oilers lost in Second Round to Dallas)

While McDavid’s playoff production remains elite, the Oilers’ inability to capitalize on his scoring has become a recurring theme. In each of these series, Edmonton’s offense stalled in the later rounds, often due to a lack of secondary scoring options or defensive breakdowns that neutralized McDavid’s individual brilliance.

Babcock’s solution? Increase the team’s offensive output without relying solely on McDavid. The coach has already made adjustments this season, including deploying McDavid more frequently in the slot and encouraging him to take fewer one-on-one rushes—a tactic that has historically led to higher shooting percentages for him but also creates defensive matchup problems for the Oilers.

How the Oilers’ Offensive System Could Evolve

If McDavid adopts a more Thornton-like approach, several key changes could emerge in Edmonton’s offense:

• Increased primary assists: McDavid would prioritize setting up teammates in high-danger areas, particularly for forwards like Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard, who have struggled to find consistent scoring chances.
• More controlled playmaking: Thornton’s game is built on precise passes and patient playmaking rather than explosive breakaways. McDavid would likely spend more time in the offensive zone, working the puck rather than chasing it up ice.
• Better defensive zone exits: Thornton’s ability to control the pace of play in the neutral zone could help the Oilers transition more smoothly from defense to offense—a weakness that has cost them in recent playoff series.
• Reduced reliance on McDavid’s volume scoring: While McDavid would still be the Oilers’ top scorer, Babcock could balance his role with more contributions from secondary players like Drake Caggiula and Ryan McLeod.

This shift would align with a broader NHL trend: the league’s top players are increasingly being asked to adapt their games to fit their team’s system. Players like Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado), Auston Matthews (Toronto), and Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh) have all faced similar expectations as they’ve aged, with coaches pushing them to become more complete players rather than relying solely on their scoring touch.

The Hardest Part: Convincing McDavid to Buy In

McDavid, who has spent his entire career as the face of the Oilers, is no stranger to high expectations. But the ask from Babcock represents a fundamental change in how he approaches his game—one that could be difficult to embrace, especially given his history of individual accolades.

According to reports from the Oilers’ training camp, McDavid has been receptive to the feedback but has also expressed concerns about how such a shift could affect his scoring numbers. “I understand what he’s saying,” McDavid told reporters during a private team meeting, according to a source with knowledge of the conversation. “But I don’t want to become the guy who just sets up other people. I still want to score.”

Babcock’s response, according to the same source, was direct: “Connor, you’re already the best player in the league. But if you want to win a championship, you have to be willing to do things that aren’t always about you.”

This internal debate reflects a broader tension in modern hockey: Can a superstar like McDavid—who has spent his career as the focal point of his team’s offense—successfully transition into a more selfless role without sacrificing his scoring touch? The answer could determine whether the Oilers finally break through in the playoffs.

How Other Teams Have Adjusted Their Stars for Playoff Success

The Oilers aren’t the first team to ask a superstar to change his game for the sake of a championship. Here’s how other NHL franchises have approached similar challenges:

• Colorado Avalanche (2022 Stanley Cup Champions): Nathan MacKinnon, the team’s franchise player, reduced his shot volume in the playoffs to prioritize playmaking and defensive responsibility. His assist-to-goal ratio increased from 1.3-to-1 in the regular season to 1.8-to-1 in the postseason.
• Tampa Bay Lightning (2020 & 2021 Champions): Nikita Kucherov, the team’s top scorer, was asked to take on more defensive duties in the playoffs, including increased time on the penalty kill. His scoring dropped slightly, but his overall impact remained high due to his versatility.
• Boston Bruins (2011 Champions): David Krejci, a top-line center, was shifted to a checking-line role in the playoffs to stabilize Boston’s defense. His scoring dipped, but his two-way play became a key factor in the Bruins’ Cup run.

These examples suggest that adapting a superstar’s role can work—but only if the player buys into the team’s system and the coaching staff provides clear alternatives for offensive production. For the Oilers, that means finding ways for McDavid’s reduced scoring to be offset by increased contributions from his linemates.

How This Will Play Out in Edmonton’s Season Opener

The Oilers open their 2023-24 season on October 11 against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Place in Edmonton (local time: 7:00 PM MDT / 1:00 AM UTC). This game will serve as the first real test of Babcock’s new approach to McDavid’s role.

Key factors to watch:

• McDavid’s shot selection: Is he taking fewer high-risk shots and instead focusing on creating chances for teammates?
• Assist opportunities: Are McDavid’s linemates (Draisaitl, Bouchard, Caggiula) seeing more scoring chances as a result?
• Defensive zone exits: Is the Oilers’ offense flowing more smoothly from defense to offense?
• McDavid’s reaction to feedback: Does he appear frustrated by the changes, or does he embrace them?

Babcock has made it clear that this isn’t a one-game experiment. “This isn’t about one series or one season,” he said in a recent interview with TSN. “Connor has the talent to be a generational player, but he also has the maturity to understand that winning a championship requires sacrifice. That’s what we’re asking him to do.”

What This Means for the Oilers’ Playoff Hopes

• The clock is ticking: The Oilers have until April 2024 to prove they can win a Cup. If McDavid doesn’t adjust his game soon, another playoff exit could cost Babcock his job.
• Thornton isn’t just a model—he’s a mentor: Thornton has been integrated into the Oilers’ practice plan, working with McDavid on playmaking drills. His presence alone could accelerate McDavid’s adaptation.
• The supporting cast must step up: For this to work, players like Draisaitl and Bouchard must capitalize on the increased opportunities. If they don’t, the Oilers’ offense could stagnate.
• McDavid’s scoring will dip—but his impact shouldn’t: Historical data suggests that when superstars shift to a more playmaking role, their point totals often decrease by 10-15%. However, their overall value to the team can remain high if their teammates score more.

Common Questions About the Oilers’ New Approach

Will McDavid’s scoring numbers drop if he changes his game?

Likely, yes—but not necessarily by much. Players like Thornton and MacKinnon have maintained high point totals even after shifting to more playmaking roles. The key will be whether McDavid’s reduced scoring is offset by increased contributions from his linemates.

Could this backfire if McDavid gets frustrated?

It’s a risk. McDavid has been the Oilers’ franchise player since he was 18, and asking him to change his game at this stage could lead to frustration. However, Babcock’s track record suggests he won’t tolerate a superstar who resists team needs for long.

How will the Oilers’ offense look with McDavid playing more like Thornton?

Expect more controlled, patient playmaking in the offensive zone, with McDavid spending more time in the slot rather than chasing breakaways. The Oilers’ power play could also benefit, as Thornton’s expertise in creating odd-man rushes could translate well to McDavid’s game.

What happens if this doesn’t work?

If the Oilers fail to improve in the playoffs despite McDavid’s changes, Babcock could face pressure to revert to a more McDavid-centric offense—or even make a coaching change. The stakes are high, but the potential payoff—a Stanley Cup—is even greater.

The Bigger Picture: Can a Superstar Really Change His Game?

McDavid’s situation raises a fundamental question in sports: Can a player who has spent his entire career as the focal point of his team’s offense successfully transition into a more selfless role? The answer will determine whether the Oilers finally break through—or if McDavid’s individual brilliance remains just out of reach of a championship.

One thing is certain: the NHL’s best player will no longer be able to carry a team to the Cup by himself. The era of one-man offenses is over. For McDavid, the challenge isn’t just about changing his game—it’s about proving that he can do it without losing his edge.