{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/629658d78a41830013caf1ac/6a3afba96cc0d2f3827e241d?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"The Mike Babcock era begins, and the Oilers get some free agency work done","description":"<p>It's Friday afternoon, which means a fresh episode of Oilersnation Radio is ready to massage your eardrums with an hour of off-season Oilers talk. On today's podcast, the fellas discussed the Mike Babcock press conference, Jason Dickinson's new deal, Connor Murphy re-signing, <a href=\"https://oilersnation.com/edmonton-oilers-line-combinations\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">line combinations</a>, and more.</p><p>We kicked off the Friday episode of <a href=\"https://publish.oilersnation.com/2025/07/18/oilersnation-radio-edmonton-oilers-rumours-coaching-staff-2025-25-nhl-schedule/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">ONR</a> with a delicious debate about the Mike Babcock press conference, and what everyone thought about our first look at the team's newest coach. While everyone was curious how today was going to go, what wasn't overly surprising was that Mike Babcock didn't really answer those questions with any honesty. Whether it was his refusing to admit faults in Columbus or tap-dancing some of the tougher questions, there are still plenty of unanswered questions that will only be solved in time.&nbsp;</p><p>Shifting gears, the guys continued on with Babcock conversation by wondering what they think is most likely to come next now that the press conference is done. We got some free agents signed this week in Jason Dickinson and Connor Murphy, but with free agency kicking off in just over a week, we're about to find out if having Babcock behind the bench will impact the calibre of player the Oilers might attract. While it was great that Dickinson and Murphy believed in the team enough to extend, that doesn't necessarily mean the same will be true for players who&nbsp;</p><p>Finally, we wrapped up the Tuesday episode of ONR with another round of betting talk, the first edition of Reece's Game, which ended up being tennable, and a quick chat on what to expect from Canada's matchup against Switzerland at the World Cup. If Canada draws or wins, they will punch their ticket through to the round of 32. If they win, they will begin the round at home instead of having to travel abroad. Needless to say, the footy fever is alive and well at Nation HQ.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>🤝 SPONSORS</p><p><br></p><p>🙌 Powered by Bet365 → http://www.bet365.ca/ (Use code: NATION)</p><p><br></p><p>🥙 Swiss Donair → https://swissdonair.com/</p>","author_name":"The Nation Network"}