The Edmonton Oilers are a true blue soap opera. This offseason was supposed to be about righting the wrongs of the 2026 playoffs, where injuries and roster construction played a major role in their getting booted out in the first round.
With that exit, out went Kris Knoblauch, but the search to replace the man who led them to two Stanley Cup Finals has been a long, winding road that appears to be taking a detour towards Mike Babcock.
Babcock has been in NHL exile since his extremely short-lived stint with the Columbus Blue Jackets, but the Oilers look like they’re intent on bringing him into the fold as they look to get over the hump. However, one man who played under Babcock has a strong warning for Connor McDavid and the rest of the crew in Edmonton.
Former Maple Leafs Winger Daniel Winnick Serves Connor McDavid’s Oilers A Babcock Warning
“Do not do it,” were the first words out of Daniel Winnick’s mouth when asked for his opinion on the Oilers chasing Mike Babcock.
Winnick, the former Toronto Maple Leafs fan favorite, made an appearance on First Up on Thursday, June 18, to talk about Toronto’s Jim Hiller hire, when the conversation ultimately led to Babcock. Winnick wasted little time warning the Oilers against opening that door.
“He’s the only guy who’s ever made me hate hockey. Don’t do it. I just hated coming to the rink. He’s a bully,” Winnick said.
“It started out fine. I was coming off a career year. Then I had a high-ankle sprain. I missed five games, that’s it. With a high-ankle sprain, I should’ve been out for eight weeks. Coming back, I thought skating was my strongest attribute, and I just couldn’t skate. I wasn’t the same player. Then it cratered from there.
“I just think how he treats people is not great. That’s been well-documented at this point. Sure, the top guys aren’t gonna have a problem. He’s just gonna let them play. I just don’t think his style works anymore. That’s another thing.”
“He’s the only guy that has ever made me hate hockey…he’s just a bully”
Former NHLer Daniel Winnick shared his staunch opposition to the possibility of the Oilers hiring Mike Babcock as their next head coach.
Listen to Winnik’s full interview HERE: https://t.co/BXWwseyNZT pic.twitter.com/PnQ1RPeK5p
— First Up (@FirstUp1050) June 18, 2026
Winnick finished with one final shot at his former coach: “Babcock hasn’t won a playoff series since 2012. Why is that your hire?”
Yikes.
All things considered, the Oilers are woefully short on options. Last night, Vegas Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon revealed that they had granted one franchise permission to speak with Bruce Cassidy. That team is believed to be the Leafs, though they ultimately went and hired Jim Hiller.
As things stand, the Oilers are unlikely to get permission to speak to Cassidy for the role. That leaves a field of Jay Woodcroft (again, unlikely), John Tortorella (gun for hire), and Babcock.
The Oilers reportedly want an experienced name as their new bench boss, which eliminates Woodcroft. The league-wide consensus appears to be that Tortorella caught lightning in a bottle in Vegas, since his non-Golden Knights resume doesn’t feature much to boast of over the last few years.
Unless McCrimmon magically has a change of heart when it comes to Cassidy, it appears all the roads in Edmonton lead to Babcock. And right on time, the NHL announced that it has completed its investigation into Babcock’s missteps.
“The League has completed its review of Mike Babcock’s tenure in Columbus, and of certain alleged conduct associated therewith. Our investigation has concluded that, even in a light least favorable to Mr. Babcock, there is no current basis to restrict his employment in the League,” read the NHL’s statement.
Oilers insider Ryan Rishaug reports Edmonton is finalizing the last few details on a contract for Babcock.
