Elliotte Friedman reported that the NHL's investigation into Mike Babcock is over and the Edmonton Oilers are free to hire him as their next head coach.
On Thursday, the NHL announced they had finished up their investigation into the prior conduct of Mike Babcock and according to Elliotte Friedman - the Edmonton Oilers are in the clear if they want to bring him aboard.
Friedman noted that the Oilers are free to hire Babcock, with the NHL putting out a statement that Friedman referenced on social media:
The League has completed its review of Mike Babcock's tenure in Columbus and of certain alleged conduct associated therewith. Out 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.
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The NHLPA also put out a statement on the decision, and while they weren't initially pleased, they do give Babcock the benefit of the doubt that he'll do things differently this time around:
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Babcock stepped down from the Blue Jackets job prior to the start of the 2023 season after those alleged misdeeds came to light. He had since revealed he was enjoying the retired life however the chance to coach Connor McDavid clearly had some appeal.
A lot of people were speculating as to what the situation was with Babcock but the NHL saw those issues as minor and feel that Babcock should be allowed to coach again, though I am sure the League is going to give him a shorter leash this time around.
Mike Babcock is like Edmonton's next coach and the rest of the hockey world is less than thrilled
Babcock has gotten a lot of detractors that came out of the woodwork recently to talk about him as a person, and while they credit his coaching ability - it's the stuff we don't see that's an issue.
Mike Commodore called him a bully and pointed to several incidents including the fact Babcock benched NHL legend Mike Modano so he couldn't reach 1,500 games as he finished his career just one short of the iconic number.
Daniel Winnik also echoed the bully comments and explained that he was the only coach that made him second guess following his dream:
He's the only guy that has ever made me hate hockey...he's just a bully.
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This is certainly a choice from the Oilers and it certainly looks like and feels like this is a last-ditch Hail Mary effort on behalf of ownership to win while they have Connor McDavid.
The Edmonton Oilers are out of options and Mike Babcock is their last chance
Despite reports that the captain is sticking around seven more years, hiring Babcock is going to be the ultimate litmus test for him. Does McDavid want to win so badly that he'll put aside Babcock's personality issues? Or does it become a tension-filled season full of infighting?
It's almost as if Edmonton got the news that Bruce Cassidy was unavailable and decided that there was no other hope except pushing all-in on Babcock. They could have had literally anyone else.
Peter Laviolette, Patrick Roy, Craig Berube, Dallas Eakins, Jim Hiller, Gerard Gallant...heck, hire Ryan Smyth to coach you for heaven's sake.
Anyone would have shone a lesser spotlight on Edmonton than Babcock and it's going to lead to a lot more media pressure on both the coach and McDavid which again - could lead to a more inflammatory season.
Edmonton lost back to back Finals to the Panthers and were unceremoniously dumped out of the first round in 2025-26. Clearly, they are trying to prioritize winning at any cost and previous stories or allegations be damned - it's Babcock or bust.
Was the NHL wrong in allowing Mike Babcock to be a head coach again?
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