The Edmonton Oilers’ interest in Mike Babcock is rapidly turning into one of the most talked-about coaching storylines in the NHL this offseason.
Recent reports suggest the Oilers, driven heavily by ownership, have held internal discussions about bringing Babcock in to replace Kris Knoblauch, who was dismissed in May. But that potential move has already triggered pushback, including a strong warning from a former NHL executive.
Mike Babcock Urged to Avoid Oilers Role
Babcock’s coaching future has remained under scrutiny since he stepped away from the Columbus Blue Jackets in September 2023 following the “cell phone photo-sharing” privacy controversy. He resigned before the NHL could complete a formal review of the situation.
Now, with Edmonton exploring a possible return to the league for him, the NHL Players’ Association has reportedly intervened. Sources indicate the NHLPA has asked the league to pause any hiring process until a full review of Babcock’s time in Columbus is completed.
Insider Frank Seravalli has also suggested that the original incident may not be the full story, hinting at additional player complaints that were never made public.
If Edmonton moves forward, it would be doing so under a cloud of ongoing scrutiny, something many believe could be too risky for a team in its win-now window with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Former Senators executive Pierre McGuire also weighed in, offering a measured but cautious take on the situation. “I think if the NHL comes back with additional information from Columbus and it’s not in Mike’s favor, I would say no. I have to say it in advance, Mike’s a friend of mine,” McGuire said.
McGuire also reflected on his long history with Babcock, noting that he has known him for years and respected his early coaching career, including his run to the Stanley Cup Final in the 2002–03 season and his matchups against top coaches like Jacques Lemaire.
He ultimately questioned whether the risk is worth it at this stage of Babcock’s career. “If Mike wants to come back and coach and put his family through all this stuff, then I’ll support Mike. But at this point, I don’t know if it’s worth going through all this stuff. I don’t know if it’s really worth it. I just don’t know,” McGuire added.
Babcock has not coached in the NHL since being fired by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2019 amid allegations of controversial motivational tactics, including the well-known Mitch Marner incident.
Beyond league scrutiny, there are also whispers of potential locker room resistance. Reports suggest at least one Oilers player could consider moving on if Babcock were hired, raising concerns about internal stability.
For a team built around a tight championship window, even small fractures in trust could carry major consequences.
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In the end, McGuire’s warning circles back to a single theme: with so much uncertainty already surrounding the situation, Edmonton may need to ask itself whether taking the risk is worth it at all.
