The NHL Players' Association has asked the NHL to investigate Mike Babcock's time with the Columbus Blue Jackets before the Edmonton Oilers or any other NHL team can hire him as coach, two people with knowledge of the discussions told the Associated Press.
NHLPA Request Adds Review To Oilers Search
The request followed reports that Edmonton had expressed interest in Babcock while searching for a replacement for Kris Knoblauch. The two people spoke to AP on condition of anonymity because the talks were private.
AP reported that it was not clear whether the NHL had resumed or restarted an investigation into Babcock, whose recent coaching history has drawn criticism over his approach with players. All coaching hires require league approval, which gives the request practical weight beyond public pressure.
Mike Babcock's Columbus Exit Remains Central
The NHLPA reviewed the Columbus situation after concerns arose during Babcock's brief Blue Jackets tenure. Babcock stepped down before coaching a game, and the NHL dropped its planned investigation once he resigned.
NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh said at the time that players deserved respect in the workplace and that Columbus had taken the appropriate course by moving forward with a different head coach. That previous statement is now back in the conversation because Babcock is again being linked with an NHL bench.
Oilers Weigh Options After Knoblauch Firing
Babcock, who turned 63 on April 29, has not coached an NHL game since the Toronto Maple Leafs fired him 23 games into the 2019-20 season. His resume includes a Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings in 2008, Cup Final appearances with Detroit in 2009 and Anaheim in 2003, and Olympic gold medals with Canada in 2010 and 2014.
Former players have also publicly criticized Babcock's methods. AP noted that a report after his Maple Leafs firing said he had asked a player to rank teammates by work ethic and then shared the list with the group, while former Red Wings player Johan Franzen told a Swedish outlet that Babcock had been the worst person he had met.
The Oilers fired Knoblauch after a first-round playoff exit, despite reaching the final in each of the previous two seasons. Edmonton also asked Vegas for permission to speak with recently fired coach Bruce Cassidy, but the Golden Knights rejected the request because Cassidy remains under contract through next season.