The NHL Players’ Association isn’t thrilled about Mike Babcock getting another shot behind an NHL bench. But they’re not blocking it either.
On Wednesday, the NHLPA issued a formal statement after the league cleared Babcock to return to coaching for the first time since his ugly exit from the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023. The short version is this: Babcock can coach again, but the union is watching closely.
“While we found the allegations of Mike Babcock’s conduct as the Columbus Blue Jackets’ head coach very concerning, the League has decided that there is no current basis on which to restrict his employment,” the statement read. “Moving forward, we expect that Mr. Babcock will uphold the high standards required of NHL head coaches.”
The Edmonton Oilers have emerged as the most likely destination for Babcock, who hasn’t coached in the NHL since 2020 when he was fired by the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Oilers are in the market for a head coach and have reportedly done their homework on Babcock, including getting league approval before moving forward.
What Happened in Columbus
Babcock was hired by the Blue Jackets in the summer of 2023, but he resigned before coaching a single game. The reason? Allegations surfaced that he went through photos on players’ personal phones during meetings — a move that multiple players found invasive and uncomfortable, according to the NHLPA.
That was the final straw for a coach with a long history of rubbing players the wrong way. Former Maple Leafs forward Nazem Kadri detailed Babcock’s approach in his book, describing a coach who leaned heavily on psychological tactics to motivate players.
“Babs was really into the psychological aspects of performance,” Kadri wrote, according to a report from Yahoo Sports. “He’d been a psychology major at McGill University, a fact that everyone seemed to know. As I’ve said, he was interested in ways to motivate players, to get the most out of them by knowing what buttons to press, what games to play. All that kind of stuff.”
Kadri added that those methods have a shelf life. “Obviously, there was some benefit because Babs had a lot of success. He was a brilliant coach. But again, his tactics could also backfire. And with players having changed so much over the past decade, there’s no longer a place in the league for mind games like that.”
What’s Next for Babcock and the Oilers
The Oilers haven’t confirmed Babcock as their next head coach yet, and the team is staying quiet about their search. But multiple reports suggest he’s the top candidate to replace Jay Woodcroft, who was fired earlier this season.
Edmonton is a team with championship expectations and a roster built around Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Bringing in a coach with Babcock’s baggage — and his history of acrimony with players — is a gamble. But the Oilers clearly think the upside is worth it, given Babcock’s track record: a Stanley Cup in Detroit, two Olympic gold medals with Canada, and a reputation as one of the smartest tactical minds in the game.
The NHLPA’s statement makes one thing clear though. They’re not going to pretend everything is fine just because the league gave Babcock a pass. If he crosses a line again, the union will be ready.
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