Insider Reveals Mike Babcock's Contract Term With Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers shocked the hockey world earlier this offseason with the hire of controversial head coach Mike Babcock. But until now, it was unclear how long his contract with the team would be. 

As noted by insider Pierre LeBrun, "teams are getting craftier at not divulging much information on coaching contracts, having figured out over the years that announcing exact term invites media speculation when a coach is entering his final season."

This was also the case with Mike Babcock as the Oilers kept the term on the deal private. Not anymore, as LeBrun has revealed the following:

According to a person with direct knowledge of the deal, who spoke on condition of anonymity in order to reveal details that are not public, it’s a three-year contract plus an option year for Babcock, who was happy in retirement. 

LeBrun adds that Babcock's conversations with Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and others in the Oilers' leadership group convinced him to return to coaching. 

Babcock is signed up with Oilers for longer than Connor McDavid

Of interest is the fact that Babcock's term is for longer than McDavid's current contract, which only runs for the next two seasons. 

Babcock's last head coaching job in the NHL lasted only a couple of months, in the offseason, back in 2023 with the Columbus Blue Jackets. 

He stepped down following an investigation by the NHL Players' Association into allegations that he invaded players' privacy by asking them to show him personal photos on their cellphones.

His introductory news conference with the media this summer as the Oilers' new head coach did nothing to calm the concerns over his hiring, as he refused to apologize for his past behavior or controversies involving players with other teams. 

Draisaitl, for one, isn't concerned. 

“He doesn’t shy away from telling you straight to your face, he’s a real man about it. We’re all men in here and we all wanna win, we’re all here for the same reason."

Leon Draisaitl on his early impressions of Mike Babcock. pic.twitter.com/M7kI1R7kMH

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 10, 2026

We'll have to wait and see how far into the reported three-year agreement he gets this time.