The Oilers are in talks with the NHL Players Association to find out if they can bring Mike Babcock on board as their head coach without facing any pushback, according to TSN’s Darren Dreger.
This comes after the Oilers let go of Kris Knoblauf following their first-round playoff loss to Anaheim back in May.
I suppose it’s worth mentioning that Babcock, aged 63, resigned from his role with the Blue Jackets before even coaching a single game in 2023. This decision stemmed from accusations that he infringed on players’ privacy, notably asking them to share photos from their phones.
The NHLPA conducted an investigation prior to his resignation, which doesn’t paint a pretty picture for him. Jarmo Kekalainen, the Blue Jackets’ then-general manager, later stated that hiring Babcock had been “a mistake.” Interestingly, Columbus Captain Boone Jenner defended Babcock, claiming the photos were of his family, meant to foster relationships, and that he was, in fact, comfortable sharing them.
It’s not just this incident, though. There have been multiple accounts of Babcock mistreating players and staff over the years. Several of his former players have shared their uncomfortable experiences, detailing feelings of embarrassment or mistreatment during his tenure. One notable incident occurred in the 2016-17 season when rookie Mitch Marner was asked to rank his teammates’ work ethic. Babcock then publicly revealed that list to the rest of the team, causing quite a stir among Marner’s teammates, who directed their frustration at Babcock.
Remember when Babcock was regarded as one of the top coaches in the league? Back in 2003, he led the Ducks to their first-ever Stanley Cup Finals. He also won a Cup with the Red Wings in 2008 and had an impressive 10-year playoff streak in Detroit. He signed an eight-year deal with the Maple Leafs at the start of the 2015-16 season but was fired at the close of the 2019 season. Plus, he led Team Canada to Olympic gold in 2010 and 2014.
Just last month, Babcock dismissed the buzz about a potential return to coaching. When Dreger confronted him about the speculations linking him to the Oilers, he responded, “Dregs, I’m retired. I’m very happy.” Whether the Oilers can pursue Babcock remains uncertain, and it seems more investigations might be needed before he could consider coaching in the NHL again.
