Here's the latest on Mike Babcock's status with Edmonton Oilers
Is Mike Babcock going to be the next head coach of the Edmonton Oilers?
That is a question that has been swirling around the Oilers ever since news broke that the team was deep in discussions with the veteran coach earlier this month. Initial reports revealed that Babcock had already met with team owner Daryl Katz and had spoken with some of Edmonton’s top players.
It was then reported that the move had been greenlighted by Connor McDavid, seemingly paving the way for Babcock to be hired. Yet, an NHL investigation has stalled things, as the league is looking into previously unknown allegations from Babcock’s short, yet controversial, time with the Columbus Blue Jackets back in 2023.
That investigation got underway this week, and we’ve learnt a little bit about where things stand between the Oilers and Babcock.
According to NHL insider David Pagnotta, it seems like the Oilers believe this investigation will end in their favour.
“While there’s no timeline set for the NHL/Babcock investigation (‘It’ll be over when it’s over,’ a league source told me this evening), there’s growing belief within the Oilers that it’s going to happen,” Pagnotta reported on Tuesday night.
While there’s no timeline set for the NHL/Babcock investigation (“it’ll be over when it’s over,” a league source told me this evening), there’s growing belief within the Oilers that it’s going to happen. So, we shall see.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) June 17, 2026
The timeline for when this situation gets resolved will be very important. Edmonton is set to get its offseason fully underway with the NHL Draft set for next week. The organization likely wants to have a new coach in place before then.
It was initially worried that this investigation could stretch into a weeks-long ordeal, but Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman doesn’t think that will be the case.
“I’m under the impression it probably won’t take a long time,” Friedman said on Tuesday’s edition of OilersNow. “I think that’s the goal here. I think the NHL was really annoyed that this took as much airtime as it did during the Stanley Cup Final.
“I think they’ve already spoken to some of the executives that were in Columbus at the time.”
Friedman added that one hang-up in the investigation was that some players involved in the controversy were not willing to speak to investigators and re-live the situation. Though the NHL insider did not know whether or not that had already been resolved.
The exact nature of the league’s investigation is not totally known. There were public reports back in 2023 that Babcock ordered Blue Jackets players to hand over their phones so that he could peruse through their photos. Those allegations caused quite a stir and led to his resignation in Columbus before coaching a single game.
NHL insider Frank Seravalli reported earlier this month that there are unreported allegations being looked into on top of the phone incident. St. Louis NHL reporter Andy Strickland revealed that one incident being scrutinized involved Babcock and ex-Blue Jackets forward Patrik Laine.
“Would think now that the final is wrapped up, we are headed towards a resolution with Babcock and the Oilers,” Strickland reported on Tuesday. “Hearing, among other things, part of the NHL’s investigation includes a situation that involved Patrik Laine.”
Would think now that the final is wrapped up, we are headed towards a resolution with Babcock and the Oilers. Hearing, among other things, part of the NHL’s investigation includes a situation that involved Patrik Laine.
— Andy Strickland (@andystrickland) June 16, 2026
It’s starting to feel more and more likely that the NHL will allow Babcock back into the league and that he will be hired by the Oilers. Nothing is certain, but recent reporting around the league seems to paint a positive picture for Edmonton.
If things do fall through, it will be interesting to see how quickly the Oilers can pivot and who will be their backup plan.