NHL Clears Mike Babcock to Coach Edmonton Oilers After Columbus Review

The National Hockey League announced Thursday that it has completed a review of Mike Babcock's tenure with the Columbus Blue Jackets and cleared him to coach the Edmonton Oilers if the team chooses to hire him. The NHL launched the investigation at the request of the NHL Players' Association following the Oilers' stated interest in Babcock as a potential head coach. In its statement, the league determined that even under the most unfavorable interpretation of events, there was no basis to restrict Babcock's employment eligibility.

Babcock, 63, resigned from his position with Columbus in September 2023, just two months after the Blue Jackets hired him on July 1, 2023. His departure came after he requested personal photographs from players as part of his effort to get to know them better, a practice that drew widespread criticism as an invasion of privacy. The NHLPA responded with a statement characterizing the allegations as "very concerning" and expressed expectations that Babcock will "uphold the high standards required of NHL head coaches" going forward.

The Edmonton Oilers have been searching for a head coach since firing Kris Knoblauch following a first-round playoff exit, despite the team's consecutive trips to the Stanley Cup Final. Babcock has not coached in the NHL since 2019, when he was terminated by the Toronto Maple Leafs 23 games into his fifth season. His coaching resume includes a Stanley Cup championship with Detroit in 2008, two additional Stanley Cup Final appearances, and Olympic gold medals with Canada in 2010 and 2014.