The Edmonton Oilers are reportedly taking a hard look at one of the most polarizing figures in NHL history — and it’s already sending shockwaves through the hockey world.
After missing out on Peter Laviolette, who inked a three-year deal with the Los Angeles Kings on Monday, the Oilers appear to be pivoting hard. According to TSN insider Darren Dreger, Edmonton is now in direct talks with the NHL Players’ Association regarding a potential hire of former Stanley Cup champion coach Mike Babcock.
“Sources say the Edmonton Oilers are consulting with the NHLPA to see if there are any lingering objections that need to be resolved before they move forward with Babcock,” Dreger reported. “Given the serious allegations that surfaced during his brief, disastrous stint with Columbus in 2023, the organization is reportedly doing its due diligence — but insiders suggest this may be more than just a passing interest.”
Babcock stepped down as head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets in September 2023 before coaching a single game, after accusations emerged that he had pressured players to share personal photos on their phones. The controversy erupted across the league and left his reputation in tatters. Former Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen publicly admitted the hiring was a mistake.
But now, just over a year later, Edmonton is reportedly circling back to the 61-year-old coach. What does this mean for the Oilers — a team that came within a whisker of the Stanley Cup Final last season?
Fans and observers are buzzing about the potential fallout. Some insiders worry that bringing Babcock into a locker room led by superstars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl could create a powder keg of tension. Others note that the Oilers are clearly looking for a hard-nosed veteran presence to push a team that’s been on the brink of greatness.
“Babcock’s track record is undeniable — he’s a winner,” one unnamed league source told us. “But the question is whether the game has passed him by and whether players will trust him after everything that happened in Columbus. Edmonton is a big market with huge expectations. This could go either way.”
Babcock’s resume is among the most decorated in hockey history. He led the Detroit Red Wings to the Stanley Cup in 2008, reached the Final twice, and has over 700 regular-season wins. He’s also the only coach to claim hockey’s Triple Gold — a Stanley Cup, an Olympic gold medal, and an IIHF World Championship title.
Still, his last NHL stint ended abruptly in Toronto during the 2019-20 season amid reports of player discontent. Combined with the Columbus debacle, his reputation has taken a beating.
Whether the Oilers actually pull the trigger remains unclear. But one thing is certain: Mike Babcock’s name has suddenly resurfaced in the coaching market, and Edmonton is reportedly doing everything it can to determine if he’s a viable option — or a radioactive one.
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