Coaching rumors are very common during the NHL offseason, and another name recently joined the discussion, and that is former Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock. However, Babcock has now personally denied all the rumors.

Right now, teams like the Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Vancouver Canucks are searching for new coaches. Because Babcock won a Stanley Cup with the Red Wings and has a lot of coaching experience, many people linked his name to these openings, especially Edmonton’s coaching job.

Babcock cleared everything up and said he has no plans to return to NHL coaching. According to NHL insider Darren Dreger, Babcock has retired and is enjoying this stage of his life. That makes it clear he does not want to come back.

"I asked Babcock this morning about the idea of coaching again and the speculation around the Oilers. He said, "Dregs, I'm retired." Loving it," Dreger wrote on X.

Of course, this is Babcock’s personal decision. Otherwise, many coaches would love the chance to coach players like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl while they are in their prime years.

During his coaching career, Babcock coached four NHL teams — the Anaheim Ducks, Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Columbus Blue Jackets.

Babcock had many successful moments in his career. He won a Stanley Cup with the Red Wings, took the Ducks to the Stanley Cup Final in 2003, and helped the Maple Leafs during an important transition period. He also reached 500+ NHL coaching wins and made many playoff appearances.

Even though Babcock has made it clear, the former general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning has some other thoughts.

Brian Lawton Wants The Edmonton Oilers To Consider Hiring Babcock

Brian Lawton, a former player agent and the former general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning, said that he thinks Edmonton Oilers general manager Stan Bowman should consider hiring former NHL head coach Mike Babcock.

"I would think so," Lawton said. "I would think someone with (Oilers GM Bowman) Stan's background would certainly have to have a lot of thoughts about that. Right. (Stan) has gotten a second chance. I don't think that was anything necessarily given. I think Stan worked at it. I think he deserved to get a second chance. Can I say that about Mike? I know Mike, and I really like him. I think he's a good human being."

In 2019, the Maple Leafs fired him, and reports later raised allegations about how he treated players. Babcock returned to the NHL in 2023 with the Blue Jackets, but that stint also ended badly. Lawton also addressed the controversy that resulted in Babcock resigning from the Blue Jackets before ever coaching a single game with the franchise.

"I know this business can be cruel," he said. "One wrong word, one wrong interac- tion with a player in today's world is enough to set you back. There's been a num- ber of coaches and other people in management where it's happened to."

In the end, the only thing right now that seems certain is that Mike Babcock is not returning to NHL coaching. He appears happy with his current life and has moved on from coaching in the league.

Even after Mike Babcock denied the Oilers rumors, his name is still being taken for his comeback. Do you think he'll make a comeback?

Read more at the NHL Fan Central.

Written by

Kapil Manghnani

Edited by

Kaamna Dwivedi