The NHLPA is reportedly asking the NHL to investigate Mike Babcock as the Oilers consider hiring the controversial coach.
The Edmonton Oilers need to be very serious about their next head coach hire, as it will have a direct impact on whether or not Connor McDavid sticks around, and it looks like things are trending towards a surprising choice: Mike Babcock.
In accordance with AthleticThe NHL Players Association has asked the NHL to conduct an investigation into Babcock’s shortened 2023 contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets if the Oilers look to put pen to paper on a deal with the Stanley Cup-winning coach.
Babcock was hired by the Blue Jackets in July 2023, after coaching the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2015 to 2019. However, he resigned before the season started after “Spittin’ Chiclets” The podcast reported that he asked players to share their photos with him on their phones.
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Mike Babcock resigned from the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023 before he could coach a game for the team. (Kyle Robertson-USA TODAY NETWORK)
There was no investigation at the time because of Babcock’s resignation. There is no timeline for this investigation, and if Babcock decides to back out of the deal with the Oilers, there will be no investigation either.
THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS ARE REPORTINGLY PREVENTING THE OILERS FROM TALKING WITH THEIR HEAD COACH BRUCE CASSIDY.
He hasn’t coached a game in the league since, he was brought up as a draft pick by the Oilers last month, but he announced his retirement.
But maybe not…
Mike Babcock ended up coaching in the NHL for the 2019-20 season with the Toronto Maple Leafs. (John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports)
Is Babcock the right choice for the Oilers?
Babcock is an interesting choice for Edmonton, because he comes with little baggage and is not known to be one of the most popular coaches among the players. Sure, he has an undisputed record, but coaching wasn’t really Edmonton’s problem, as they struggled over the hump and won a Stanley Cup during the Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl era.
The issues have been depth and goaltending, and this epitomizes Babcock’s situation in Toronto.
He found himself with a stellar core – in Toronto it was Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and, gradually towards the end of his time there, John Tavares – but a weak blueline, a lack of depth and scoring.
Except maybe a weak blueline, that’s Edmonton’s situation.
Unless Babcock is a top-six goaltender or whistler, those are issues the front office has to consider.
Could Mike Babcock be the solution to the Edmonton Oilers led by Connor McDavid finally winning the Stanley Cup. (Photos by Sergey Belski/Imagn)
Babcock couldn’t break the code in Toronto. In fact, it was his successor, Sheldon Keefe, who led the team to its first playoff series win since 2004 during the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
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So, hiring Babcock may not solve the problems that need to be addressed, and depending on how the investigation goes, it may create more.
