Since the first report on Monday, Mike Babcock’s name has fast moved to the center of the Edmonton Oilers’ coaching search. Still, not everyone is convinced he is the answer.
The organization is looking for a coach who can maximize the remaining years of Connor McDavid’s championship window after a disappointing playoff exit and a major change behind the bench.
As speculation grows around Edmonton’s next move, one prominent NHL insider has delivered a harsh assessment of Babcock’s candidacy.
Oilers’ Coaching Search Puts Mike Babcock Back in the Spotlight
The Oilers entered the offseason facing pressure to find a replacement for Kris Knoblauch. At various points in the season, both Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl appeared to subtly underline coaching issues in the organization. Edmonton then decided to part ways with the coach who guided the team to back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances.
With limited high-profile options available, Babcock has emerged as a serious candidate, but his possible return to the NHL has reignited debate across the hockey world.
This discussion intensified during a recent appearance on the You Better You Bet podcast when ESPN’s NHL insider Greg Wyshynski openly questioned Babcock’s coaching reputation and his fit in Edmonton.
Wyshynski reiterated that the Oilers’ original target was Bruce Cassidy. However, the Vegas Golden Knights are still withholding permission for Cassidy to speak with Edmonton while he remains under contract.
Wyshynski questioned whether Babcock’s reputation still matches his results. The insider suggested that Edmonton’s interest is driven largely by circumstance, with the team scrambling for an experienced coach after missing out on other preferred candidates.
“The Oilers are their [Vegas] biggest division rival, and Cassidy would fix 60% of the problems that they have on their team. So this was very smart on their part, and it forced the Oilers, who, of course, are facing a time crunch, having McDavid on a two-year contract extension, and that basically is their runway with him to try to win a Cup, to find the coach that the players want, which is a hard-ass taskmaster that has had success,” he stated.
“That list is very short. Peter Laviolette was probably one of them. He’s now in LA. And so they turned to Babcock. I’m a little bit more pessimistic on this. I actually think Babcock’s a fraud.”
Wyshynski pointed to Babcock’s run to the Stanley Cup Final with the Mighty Ducks, his years coaching a Detroit Red Wings team led by Nicklas Lidström, and his success with powerhouse Team Canada Olympic rosters.
Wyshynski suggested that many coaches would have succeeded in similar situations and questioned whether Babcock’s results away from those environments justify his standing within the sport.
Babcock’s Reputation Invites Questions Amid Oilers’ Interest
Wyshynski also referenced several controversies that have followed Babcock throughout his coaching career and continue to shape public perception of him today.
The most recent incident occurred in 2023 when Babcock was hired by the Columbus Blue Jackets. Before coaching a regular-season game, allegations surfaced that he had asked players to show him personal photos from their cellphones. The matter prompted an NHLPA investigation and ultimately led to his resignation.
Wyshynski referenced that episode directly, saying Babcock was “breaking the privacy of players by looking at their phones.” He added that the coach is “wrought with problems” and argued that he is relying on a reputation established more than a decade ago.
Past allegations have also remained part of the conversation. Former Detroit Red Wings forward Johan Franzén accused Babcock of repeated verbal mistreatment during their time together, while reports from Toronto detailed an incident in which rookie Mitch Marner was asked to rank teammates based on work ethic before that information was shared with veteran players.
Despite these concerns, Wyshynski revealed that support for Babcock exists within Edmonton’s leadership group. After making calls following the initial reports, he said Oilers players had checked with the NHLPA regarding the Columbus situation and were comfortable with what they learned.
When asked whether that support was misguided, Wyshynski offered a different explanation.
“They’re not dumb. They’re desperate,” he said.
That comment may best summarize the current situation in Edmonton. The Oilers are searching for a coach capable of delivering the Stanley Cup that has eluded McDavid and Draisaitl.
Whether Babcock becomes that coach remains uncertain, but the scrutiny surrounding his candidacy shows no signs of slowing down.
