NHL Officially Opens Mike Babcock Investigation From 2023 Allegations

Monday, June 15, 2026 ,

The Edmonton Oilers will have to wait to introduce Mike Babcock as their newest head coach.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman confirmed Monday that the NHL has officially opened an investigation against Babcock for what took place during 2023, when the polarizing head coach was hired, then essentially fired before ever stepping behind the Blue Jackets' bench.

Sources indicate there will be multiple parties interviewed as part of the process. At issue is whether there will be any further penalty or if the Oilers will be free to hire him. In their search for a new head coach, Edmonton targeted experience, a winning history and someone who wouldn’t be afraid to dictate to the team’s superstar leadership. To this point denied permission to speak to Bruce Cassidy, the Oilers decided to include Babcock as part of their search. He met with ownership and the front office, and later, according to multiple sources, he was one of two contenders who met face-to-face with a small group of players in Toronto. (Peter Laviolette, eventually hired in Los Angeles, was the other.) A few executives and players around the league have indicated Oilers management and players contacted them for feedback on Babcock. At that point, the organization contacted the league and the players involved contacted the NHLPA to ask if there was anything blocking them from hiring him.

The Oilers are believed to want Babcock behind the bench once the Golden Knights denied permission for the team to speak to Bruce Cassidy, so we'll see how this all plays out and if Vegas ends up letting Cassidy go. 

The only other opening is Toronto's coaching position, and Babcock won't be going back to the Maple Leafs, so it will be curious to see how this all plays out, not only for Babcock, but for Cassidy as well.

Photo credit: Bob Lee, Imagn Images 

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