The Edmonton Oilers reportedly are expected to hire Mike Babcock as their next head coach.
More: Columbus Blue Jackets ‘moving on’ from Mike Babcock fiasco they helped create
Despite a tumultuous end to his 78-day tenure as the Blue Jackets’ top coach, a stint in which he was forced to resign over allegations that he violated players’ privacy, Babcock is said to be poised to coach an underachieving team led by superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
A TSN report June 8 on Twitter/X said the Oilers have consulted with the NHL Players’ Association about possible objections to hiring Babcock, which reports by Sportsnet and ESPN confirmed.
The TSN report said an investigation into Babcock’s departure from the Blue Jackets, conducted by the NHL, might be required to hire him. The NHLPA did its own on-site investigation in September 2023 into allegations that Babcock pressured players into showing photos on their cell phones, which some felt was a violation of their privacy.
Babcock, Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner, defenseman Zach Werenski, former star Johnny Gaudreau and others defended Babcock, saying the photo requests were innocent attempts by a coach trying to learn about his new team, but not all players shared that opinion with NHLPA investigators.
Not long after the NHLPA concluded its investigation and shared its conclusions with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, deputy commissioner Billy Daly and Blue Jackets leadership, Babcock resigned before the start of training camp.
Associate coach Pascal Vincent was promoted to the head coaching role, and former president of hockey operations John Davidson said at a press conference: “We went through a process earlier this summer, prior to hiring Mike Babcock as our head coach, but we got it wrong … and that’s on us.”
Sep 18, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; General manager Jarmo Kekalainen and team president John Davidson talk about Mike Babcock’s resignation and the hiring of new head coach Pascal Vincent during the Columbus Blue Jackets media day prior to the start of training camp at Nationwide Arena.
Babcock issued a statement that made it sound like resigning was his idea, saying he did so to avoid further distraction for the Blue Jackets. But the team made it clear that it was a forced decision.
Babcock’s resignation also contributed to Davidson and former Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen losing their positions. Kekalainen was fired during Vincent’s only season as head coach, while Davidson transitioned into a senior advisory role after hiring Don Waddell in May 2024 as president/GM.
Babcock, meanwhile, returned to retirement until his name surfaced as Kris Knobloch’s possible replacement as the Oilers’ bench boss. ESPN reported June 8 that sources indicated a deal to hire Babcock is “nearing.”
The same report also said Babcock spoke with Oilers owner Daryl Katz along with the team’s core group of leaders in the locker room. Should Babcock become the Oilers’ coach, it would be his fifth NHL stop after stints with the Anaheim Ducks, Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs and Blue Jackets.
Jul 1, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, United States; Columbus Blue Jackets name Mike Babcock as their new head coach during a press conference at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Robertson-The Columbus Dispatch
He is 12th all-time in career NHL coaching wins, including a Stanley Cup title with the Red Wings, and his international success with Canada is legendary after coaching teams to gold medals in the Olympics [2010, 2014], world championships [2004] and world junior championships [1997].
Controversy and bullying allegations have also followed him, marring his past three NHL stints, including former Red Wings star Johan Franzen telling a Swedish news outlet in 2019 that Babcock was a great coach but, “a terrible person … the worst I ever met.”
Dispatch reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com and @BrianHedger.bsky.social
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Edmonton Oilers eye former Columbus Blue Jackets coach Mike Babcock