Mike Babcock is facing an NHLPA investigation request to the NHL into his conduct while coaching the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023. The turn of events happened after reports emerged on Monday, June 8, about the Edmonton Oilers’ interest in hiring him as their new head coach.

NHL insider and TSN reporter Darren Dreger took to his official X account to break the news earlier today. He also spoke about the allegations tied to the investigation into Babcock’s conduct at the Blue Jackets.

“The NHLPA has asked the NHL to move forward with an investigation into the allegations Mike Babcock invaded players' privacy during his time in Columbus,” Dreger wrote on Tuesday, June 9.

Fellow NHL insider Frank Seravalli brought more context to Dreger’s report within half an hour on his official X account.

“To add to @DarrenDreger‘s report, sources say the NHLPA has specifically requested that the NHL delay Mike Babcock’s hiring by the Edmonton Oilers until a formal investigation can be completed,” wrote Seravalli.

Notably, Babcock, who has an NHL record of 700-418-183 in the regular season, didn’t coach a game with the Blue Jackets in his previous job in 2023. He resigned his position after the NHLPA began an investigation into claims about him violating players’ privacy

Babcock allegedly asked the players at the Blue Jackets to see photos on their cellphones.

After the NHLPA shared its investigation findings with the NHL about Babcock, it was forwarded to the management of the Blue Jackets. While he didn’t start a game as head coach for Columbus, their team president, John Davidson, was apologetic about his hiring by saying, “We got it wrong.”

How close have the Edmonton Oilers come to hiring Mike Babcock as their new head coach?

After the Edmonton Oilers’ interest in Mike Babcock emerged earlier this week, he met with their players and spoke directly with owner Daryl Katz, as per a Sportsnet report. Following that, the Oilers players reached out to the NHLPA about Babcock’s status and whether there are any open investigations ongoing regarding his conduct.

As per the report from ESPN, the core leadership group at the Oilers was consulted by the management and provided input about hiring Babcock to them.

Moreover, during his coaching career in the NHL, Babcock has been a part of three other teams apart from the Columbus Blue Jackets. He secured the Western Conference Championship in his first season in 2002-03 with the Anaheim Ducks, called the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim at the time.

They ended up losing the Stanley Cup Final to the New Jersey Devils in seven games in 2003.

After the NHL lockout in 2004-05, Babcock joined the Detroit Red Wings and coached them for 10 seasons. He ended up winning the Stanley Cup with them in 2008, apart from two Western Conference championships.

The Manitouwadge, Ontario, native coached the Toronto Maple Leafs for nearly five seasons from May 2015 to November 2019, taking them to three straight Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Apart from that, the Canadian was also a head coach for the national team, winning the IIHF World Championship in 2004 and Olympic gold medals in 2010 and 2024.

Will Mike Babcock become the head coach of the Edmonton Oilers amid an investigation into his conduct? Share your take in the comments.

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Written by

Arjun Sharma

Edited by

Ankita Yadav