Oilers get message Babcock sending with healthy scratches

EAST MEADOW, N.Y. -- Mike Babcock has preached accountability since taking over as coach of the Edmonton Oilers , tasked with getting Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl the Stanley Cup that has eluded them for over a decade together in the NHL. The Oilers can't hoist a trophy in October, but Babcock is making his approach loud and clear early in the season with lineup decisions. First, it was underproductive forward Trent Frederic being a healthy scratch last week, and now it is inconsistent defenseman Jake Walman sitting out back-to-back games after having his ice time reduced.