NHL Clears Mike Babcock to Coach Edmonton Oilers

 The Edmonton Oilers will have a new bench boss next season.

After the NHL launched another investigation into Mike Babcock and his time with the Columbus Blue Jackets back in 2023, it's been declared by the NHL that Babcock didn't do anything wrong, and is now free to sign with any team in the league. Clearing the path for Babcock to join the Edmonton Oilers in the coming days.

“The league has completed its review of Mike Babcock’s tenure in Columbus, and of certain alleged conduct associated therewith,” the NHL said in a statement. “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.”

The Athletic's Chris Johnston opened up about the whole experience and what's been going on lately as the case was re-opened against Babcock recently. 

The NHL conducted Zoom calls this week with players who were with the Blue Jackets during Babcock’s brief time with the team, to dig into his interactions with them. Babcock was employed by Columbus for just 78 days before mutually parting ways with the organization in September 2023 after allegations surfaced on the “Spittin’ Chiclets” podcast that he asked players to share personal photos on their phones with him.

While the NHLPA engaged with players at that time, a full league investigation was never conducted because of Babcock’s quick departure from Columbus.

The Oilers are seeking to hire Babcock to replace Kris Knoblauch, who was fired in May following a first-round loss to the Anaheim Ducks.

Babcock last coached an NHL game in November of 2019 for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs fired Babcock following a scuffling 9-10-4 start that season. He was just over four years into an eight-year contract.

NHL is clearing is Mike Babcock to coach the Edmonton Oilers.

They are free to hire him

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 18, 2026

The Oilers consulted with Connor McDavid and he's open to having Babcock behind the bench, as it's likely to do with how hard Babcock will be on the supporting cast. The polarizing coach isn't someone who is hard on his superstars, it's the depth players who feel the wrath more, and the ones who have come out over the years complaining about the veteran bench boss.