What began as a wild rumor out of left field in Edmonton has quickly picked up steam, with Mike Babcock now seen by insiders as an “inevitable” hire if the Oilers clear a few final hurdles.
As the team moves fast to find its next head coach, the decision has already caused controversy, split fan opinion, and drawn attention across the hockey world. Now, an NHL insider is warning that the move could do more than change the bench; it might also hurt the Oilers in the trade market.
Oilers Face Trade Risk With Mike Babcock Hire
Bringing Babcock on board is far more complicated than simply signing a contract. His coaching career remains overshadowed by controversy, most notably his brief stint with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023, which ended before the season began after allegations involving player privacy and requests to view players’ cell phones.
Because of that history, Edmonton has reportedly taken extra precautions before moving forward. The Oilers have consulted with the NHL Players’ Association, which has launched a formal review of his past to make sure any remaining concerns are fully addressed.
To avoid locker room backlash, Babcock reportedly reached out directly to owner Daryl Katz and also connected with key members of the Oilers’ leadership group. Connor McDavid and the team’s core leaders appear to have backed the decision, believing the push to win a Stanley Cup now is more important than the controversy and criticism.
Still, not everyone is convinced the decision comes without risk.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman recently raised concerns about how the hire could affect players outside Edmonton’s leadership circle and even impact the club’s ability to make future acquisitions.
“How about the players they didn’t speak to? How do the agents of some of the younger players feel? How do the agents or the players who are not a core group, how do they feel?” Friedman questioned.
Friedman also questioned whether Babcock’s reputation could complicate trade discussions. “You’re going to want to trade for guys, right? When Babcock was in Toronto, they had a chance to acquire Valtteri Filppula. And he was just like, no, I don’t want to do that,” Friedman said.
“So, I think, the one question I wonder if the Oilers have been asking is, is it going to make it harder for them to get players from other teams?”
Babcock hasn’t coached an NHL game since being fired by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2019, raising questions about whether his demanding, old-school style can succeed in today’s player-driven NHL.
By choosing Babcock over a more modern coaching option, Edmonton is making one of the biggest gambles of the Connor McDavid era. If it works, the Oilers could gain a proven winner with a Stanley Cup pedigree and a reputation for structure and accountability.
If it fails, however, the move could create locker room friction, make player acquisition more difficult, and turn the franchise into a lightning rod for criticism at a time when every decision matters as McDavid’s next contract window approaches.
