Oilers rumors: Edmonton consulting NHLPA about potential Mike Babcock hire despite controversial Blue Jackets exit

The Edmonton Oilers lost out on one of their main coaching candidates on Monday, with veteran bench boss Peter Laviolette joining the Los Angeles Kings on a three-year contract.

But the organization hasn’t taken long to pivot, with TSN’s Darren Dreger already linking them to a much more controversial candidate in Mike Babcock. Per Dreger, the Oilers are consulting with the NHL Players’ Association before potentially moving forward with the longtime coach.

“Sources: The Edmonton Oilers are consulting with the NHLPA to see if there are objections that must be resolved before potentially hiring Mike Babcock,” Dreger reported Monday.

“Amid allegations of invading players privacy, Babcock resigned in CBJ as Head Coach in 2023. Further investigation may be required.”

The report suggests Edmonton is conducting due diligence before determining whether Babcock is a legitimate candidate for its head coaching vacancy.

Babcock was hired by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the summer of 2023 but resigned before coaching a game after allegations surfaced regarding his interactions with players involving personal photos stored on their phones.

The controversy generated significant attention across the hockey world and ultimately ended his tenure before it officially began. Former Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen later acknowledged that hiring Babcock had been a mistake.

Prior to that, Babcock’s last NHL coaching job came with the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he was dismissed during the 2019-20 season.

Despite the controversy surrounding the latter stages of his career, Babcock remains one of the most accomplished coaches in hockey history.

He guided the Detroit Red Wings to a Stanley Cup championship in 2008, reached two Stanley Cup Finals and owns more than 700 regular-season victories behind an NHL bench.

Babcock is also the only coach to achieve hockey’s Triple Gold distinction, having won a Stanley Cup, an Olympic gold medal and an IIHF World Championship.

Whether Edmonton’s interest ultimately progresses remains uncertain. But with the Oilers still searching for a new head coach, Babcock has unexpectedly emerged as a name worth monitoring as the organization evaluates its options.

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