Oilers aligned to bring Babcock on board — The Fourth Period
The Edmonton Oilers seem to be positioning themselves to hire Mike Babcock as their next head coach, providing the NHL signs off on the move.
As first reported by TSN’s Darren Dreger, the Oilers have been consulting with the NHLPA to see “if there are objections that must be resolved” bringing Babcock on board as their new bench boss.
According to TFP’s David Pagnotta, Oilers management consulted with the team’s core players, including captain Connor McDavid, and all parties seem to be on board with the move, should it happen.
Oilers winger Zach Hyman started his NHL career with Babcock as his head coach in Toronto and his experience was surely weighed with the rest of Edmonton’s core.
Babcock last signed on to coach the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023, but he subsequently resigned after he was accused of going through his players’ phones during introductory meetings. The NHLPA came to the defence of its members and objected to the fire.
The NHLPA and League will need to sign off on Babcock returning to the NHL.
Over his career, Babcock made the Stanley Cup Final three times, losing with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in 2003 and with the Detroit Red Wings in 2009, and winning with the Red Wings in 2008.
In 1,301 career NHL regular-season games behind the bench, Babcock has a record of 700-418-19-164, making the playoffs 14 times.
