The Edmonton Oilers expected plenty of debate when they brought Mike Babcock behind the bench, but the conversation has now taken an unexpected turn.
A longtime critic of the veteran coach claims the disagreement escalated beyond social media as the organization allegedly stepped in with a legal warning. The accusation has reignited one of hockey’s most public personal feuds and shifted attention from Edmonton’s upcoming season to an off-ice controversy.
This claim has now become the latest talking point surrounding Babcock’s polarizing return to the NHL.
Former NHLer Says Oilers Sent Cease and Desist Over Mike Babcock
Former NHL defenseman Mike Commodore says the Oilers sent him a cease-and-desist demand after he repeatedly criticized newly hired head coach Babcock on social media.
Commodore revealed the alleged exchange in a post on X, writing, “Hey Edmonton Oilers ..my apologies for delay..been busy..got your email demanding social media post removal, cease & desist etc etc. I deleted the post for you..you’re welcome..but your threats aren’t deleting my opinion.”
However, the Oilers have not publicly confirmed that any cease-and-desist correspondence was sent in response to Commodore’s claims.
The latest clash is rooted in a rivalry that has stretched across much of Commodore’s hockey life. His issues with Babcock date back to their time together with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, where Commodore has long claimed the coach repeatedly belittled him and sent him to the minors without playing any games.
Years later, after signing with the Detroit Red Wings, Commodore believed Babcock again misled him about his role, leaving him in the press box for extended stretches before his NHL career came to an end.
Babcock’s Controversial Past In The Way of Oilers Tenure
Commodore’s latest accusation also revives the debate surrounding Babcock’s coaching career, which has combined championship success with repeated criticism from former players.
While he remains one of the NHL’s winningest coaches, several incidents have continued to shape public perception long after they occurred.
Among the most notable was the revelation following his departure from the Toronto Maple Leafs that he asked rookie Mitch Marner to rank teammates by work ethic before sharing that private list with players who finished near the bottom.
Former Detroit Red Wings forward Johan Franzen also publicly accused Babcock of verbal abuse, saying the coach’s treatment pushed him toward a mental breakdown during the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
His return to coaching was again under scrutiny in 2023 when he resigned from the Columbus Blue Jackets before coaching a game after the NHL Players’ Association investigated complaints that he requested to view players’ personal cell phones and photo libraries.
Even with that history, Edmonton hired Babcock on June 23, believing his demanding coaching style could help maximize Connor McDavid’s championship window.
KEEP READING: Former Red Wings D-Man Goes On Unfiltered Rant Against Oilers HC Mike Babcock
The NHL stated there was no basis to restrict his employment, but Commodore’s latest allegation has ensured that questions surrounding Babcock’s reputation remain firmly in the spotlight.
