Mike Babcock is expected to be cleared to coach in the NHL again

Mike Babcock is expected to be able to coach the Edmonton Oilers according to Chris Johnston which could end up causing a lot of backlash.

Babcock's name being thrown around as a potential head coaching option for the Edmonton Oilers was a stunning bit of news considering his controversial past and the fact that merely weeks ago he was dead set on retirement life. Edmonton is dead serious about hiring him though, but while there's currently an investigation - according to Chris Johnston it sounds like they'll get their wish.

Babcock hasn't been involved in the NHL since 2023 when he resigned from the Columbus Blue Jackets after some previous history came to light. It put Columbus in a tough spot and it essentially pushed Babcock out of the league and we had no clue if he'd be back.

But not only that, his history with the Maple Leafs is well-documented, with him asking to see personal pictures of players and was fired by the team in November 2019.

Mike Babcock likely to coach Edmonton after the NHL ends its investigation

He just told the media he was enjoying retirement but if Edmonton is serious then it sounds like they won't mind paying a premium as a last-ditch effort to win the Stanley Cup with Connor McDavid in tow.

But there's also an investigation into Babcock by the NHL into whether he's able to come back or not and there's no definitive timeline as to when they'll come to their decision. According to Chris Johnston however, it sounds like there won't be any issues.

Johnston explained on The CJ Show on Friday that he heard the league is going to be speaking to people close to the situation and that those interviews will lead the way for Babcock coming back:

I've seen other reporting, but...I know people that were right there and kind of have more of a sense of exactly what happened...they think he's going to be allowed to work.

If that's indeed the case, then the Oilers are going to get their wish but they also need to make sure this doesn't turn into a monkey's paw scenario.

Be careful what you wish for Edmonton

They get their chance at winning a Cup with a very good coach, but someone who has several former players speak out against his character and how he treats people. Mike Commodore said it's not the McDavids or Draisaitls we need to worry about, but those key depth players and staff who work tirelessly.

If the NHL is only listening to a couple voices and not getting the full story then it could skew their investigation.

But that overshadows the true issue at hand here which is Edmonton's desperate nature. This wasn't a call that was made with the hopes of finding that next brilliant leader. No, this was a Hail Mary play to try and bring some modicum of success to the team before McDavid leaves.

Despite reports of him staying, it's just going to be the same cycle. He and the stars are fine, but the rest of the team gets berated. If they wanna try for a Cup with two lines and a couple D-men then that's their call, but it's going to lead to more failures and a more upset McDavid.

We don't know all the logistics of who vouched for him, but it's clear that this is a move to make Edmonton sort things out now - locker room culture be damned.

They wanna win and they don't care how they do it. It's admirable but boy is it going to make Edmonton miserable.

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