Oilers Allegedly Close to Hiring Mike Babcock — Players Reportedly Furious

The Edmonton Oilers are reportedly closing in on a head coaching hire that could send shockwaves through their locker room and the entire NHL. According to ESPN insider Greg Wyshynski, the franchise is nearing a deal to bring in Mike Babcock — a move that has reportedly sparked concern among Oilers players.

A Controversial Figure Returns to the Bench?

Babcock, who won a Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings in 2008 and coached the Toronto Maple Leafs and Anaheim Ducks, has not coached a single NHL game since a bizarre and ugly incident in Columbus. He was hired by the Blue Jackets in 2023 but resigned before ever taking the bench after an NHLPA investigation into claims he violated players’ privacy by asking to see photos on their cellphones. Team president John Davidson later admitted, “We got it wrong” in hiring Babcock.

Now, sources close to the situation claim the Oilers are willing to give Babcock a second chance. But not everyone is on board.

Oilers Players Reportedly Sounding Alarms

According to Wyshynski, the NHLPA has confirmed that Oilers players have reached out regarding Babcock’s status and any open investigations into his conduct. TSN first reported the team’s interest in Babcock, and since then, insiders say the locker room has been buzzing with unease. “A lot of guys are watching this very closely,” one unnamed source told us. “They remember what happened in Columbus.”

The Oilers fired Kris Knoblauch after the team failed to reach a third straight Stanley Cup Final this season. Edmonton made the Final the last two years, losing both times to the Florida Panthers. With 93 points in the 2025-26 campaign and a playoff exit at the hands of the Anaheim Ducks, the franchise is under pressure to make a bold move. But is Babcock the right gamble?

The Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher

This job is considered one of the most attractive openings in the league. The Oilers have a core of elite talent, including Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, and they are desperate to finally hoist the Cup. But bringing in a coach with such a controversial recent history could backfire spectacularly. Insiders are reportedly worried that Babcock’s presence might fracture a locker room that has already endured back-to-back heartbreaks.

If the deal goes through, all eyes will be on Edmonton — and on the players who reportedly are not staying silent.