Mike Babcock's recent comments suggest one player is already in his dog house

Isaac Howard didn't need long to land on Mike Babcock's radar, with the Oilers head coach already challenging the young forward after one preseason game.

Edmonton's preseason opener against the Winnipeg Jets was Babcock's first real chance to judge his new group in game conditions. Howard came away as one of the players who clearly left him wanting more.

Babcock wasn't ready to make sweeping decisions based on one exhibition night, but he also didn't hide his reaction to Howard's performance.

That matters because Howard enters camp with something to prove. He's trying to establish himself as a full-time NHL option after splitting time between Edmonton and the AHL last season.

And Babcock's message came with an obvious contrast. While Howard was being challenged, the coach went out of his way to praise Colton Dach, Alex Formenton and Mathieu Joseph.

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That trio impressed him with its energy, size and work on the forecheck, exactly the type of details that can separate players when roster spots are still being decided.

Mike Babcock puts Isaac Howard on notice early

Howard being singled out this quickly makes his next preseason appearance far more interesting. Babcock has already established what he didn't like, and now the response becomes part of the evaluation.

There also doesn't appear to be much disagreement from the player. Babcock revealed that Howard wasn't satisfied with his own performance either, putting coach and player on the same page about what needs to change.

For Howard, that creates immediate pressure. Training camp is about earning trust, and a young forward trying to grab a regular role can't afford to keep giving the coaching staff the same concerns.

The message from Babcock also gives an early glimpse into how Edmonton's camp could operate under its new head coach. Reputation won't be enough when another player is winning shifts with pace and detail.

That's what makes the praise for Dach, Formenton and Joseph significant. While Howard was being pushed publicly, other forwards were already giving Babcock traits he wants to reward.

Howard now gets the first real response test of the Babcock era in Edmonton.

One preseason game won't decide his place on the Oilers roster. But being the forward Babcock is already singling out ensures his next one will be watched much more closely.

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