The NHL Players’ Association has requested the league conduct an investigation into Mike Babcock’s troubled time with the Columbus Blue Jackets before Edmonton or any other team can bring him on as head coach, according to two sources familiar with the matter who spoke Wednesday.
The union’s request comes after reports emerged that the Oilers have shown interest in bringing Babcock aboard. Both sources provided information to The Associated Press under anonymity due to the confidential nature of the discussions.
It remains unclear if the league has begun or resumed looking into the experienced coach, who has faced mounting criticism in recent years over his methods with players. The league must approve all coaching appointments.
Babcock stepped down from his position with the Blue Jackets in September 2023, just under three months after accepting the role. His departure followed backlash over his practice of requesting personal photographs from players as a way to build relationships, which many viewed as crossing privacy boundaries.
“Our players deserve to be treated with respect in the workplace,” NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh stated at that time. “Unfortunately, that was not the case in Columbus. The club’s decision to move forward with a new head coach is the appropriate course of action.”
While the union examined the circumstances, the NHL abandoned its planned probe into the matter after Babcock resigned.
The 63-year-old coach, who celebrated his birthday on April 29, hasn’t led a team in the league since Toronto dismissed him just 23 games into the 2019-20 campaign. His resume includes guiding Detroit to a Stanley Cup championship in 2008, leading the Red Wings to the finals in ’09 and Anaheim in ’03, plus coaching Canada to consecutive Olympic gold medals in 2010 and ’14.
Despite once being regarded as among the elite in his field, former players have criticized Babcock’s traditional methods that some characterize as harassment.
Following his dismissal from the Maple Leafs, reports emerged that he had instructed a player to rank teammates from most to least hardworking, then disclosed those rankings to the entire team. Former Red Wings player Johan Franzen told Swedish media that Babcock was the most unpleasant individual he had encountered and described feeling afraid to enter the arena.
Edmonton is searching for someone to replace Kris Knoblauch after dismissing him following their first-round playoff elimination, despite reaching the finals in the previous two seasons. The team sought Vegas’s approval to interview recently dismissed coach Bruce Cassidy, but the Golden Knights declined since he remains under contract through the upcoming season.
The NHL Coaches’ Association voiced displeasure regarding the situation. Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly stated last week that Vegas violated no regulations by refusing permission.
“We don’t find it unreasonable because we’re allowing it to happen,” he explained. “I do think Vegas is clearly within their contractual rights to do what they’re doing.”
