Mike Babcock addresses the media after the Blue Jackets introduced him as their head coach at a news conference in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday, July 1, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Kyle Robertson-The Columbus Dispatch via AP

By The Canadian Press

NHL clears Edmonton Oilers to hire Mike Babcock as head coach after investigation

Jun 18, 2026 | 9:48 AM

NEW YORK — The Edmonton Oilers have been given clearance by the NHL to hire Mike Babcock as head coach after the league concluded an investigation into his conduct while with Columbus in 2023.

The NHL Players’ Association requested the investigation after word emerged that the Oilers were interested in hiring the Stanley Cup-winning bench boss.

“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 Thursday. “Our investigation has concluded that, even in a light least favourable to Mr. Babcock, there is no current basis to restrict his employment in the league.”

The NHLPA said Thursday in a response to the NHL’s investigation that it found Babcock’s conduct “very concerning.”

“Moving forward, we expect that Mr. Babcock will uphold the high standards required of NHL head coaches,” the union statement read.

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Babcock resigned from the Blue Jackets less than three months after taking the job. At the time, his requests for personal photos from players, which he said were part of an effort to get to know them, drew criticism as an invasion of privacy.

The union reviewed the situation, but the NHL dropped its planned investigation at that time when Babcock stepped down.

The 63-year-old previously coached parts of 16 seasons with Anaheim, Detroit and Toronto, leading the Red Wings to a Cup victory in 2007-08.

Internationally, Babcock led Canada to gold medals at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics, the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, the 1997 world junior hockey championship and the 2004 world hockey championship.

The Oilers are looking for a coach to replace Kris Knoblauch, who helped an Edmonton roster led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to the Cup final in 2024 and 2025 before he was fired following a first-round loss to Anaheim this spring. 

NHL clears Edmonton Oilers to hire Mike Babcock as head coach after investigation

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