Coast is clear for Edmonton Oilers to hire Mike Babcock after NHL ruling
If they wish to do so, the Edmonton Oilers now have the green light to name Mike Babcock as their next head coach.
After being denied permission from the Vegas Golden Knights to speak with Bruce Cassidy, the Oilers turned their sights to Babcock. The 63-year-old had last been fired by the Columbus Blue Jackets before ever coaching a regular-season game after it was revealed that he’d been going through players’ phones.
As it turns out, that may not have been all that happened.
Shortly after the Oilers’ interest in Babcock was revealed, the NHL launched an investigation into the controversial head coach, as it sounded like there was more to his firing than initially reported.
Whatever may have happened, however, wasn’t enough to result in further punishment. The NHL released a statement on Thursday morning granting permission for Babcock to coach.
“The League has completed its review of Mike Babcock’s tenure in Columbus, and of certain alleged conduct associated therewith,” a statement from the NHL reads. “Our investigation has concluded that, even in a light least favourable to Mr. Babcock, there is no current basis to restrict his employment in the League.”
Babcock’s last time coaching a regular-season game in the NHL came during the 2019-20 season, when he was fired by the Toronto Maple Leafs after 23 games, in addition to the four complete campaigns he coached prior.
It’s been reported that several from the Oilers brass, including some of the team’s leadership group and players, have met with Babcock. From the sounds of it, they came away impressed with what he had to say. That said, there could be some other issues that arise.
“Several agents of Edmonton players who were not involved in the direct conversations with Babcock also voiced concerns, adding they didn’t like the idea of clients being traded there, either,” Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman wrote on Tuesday.
The potential of having players block trades to Edmonton is something management shouldn’t take lightly. After all, this coming season could be their last with Connor McDavid if things don’t turn around following a disappointing 2025-26 campaign.
Whether the scrutiny the Oilers faced over their interest in Babcock is enough to turn them in a different direction remains to be seen. Either way, the man once regarded as the best coach in hockey is officially available for hire.
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