{"id":83716,"date":"2026-06-18T13:46:16","date_gmt":"2026-06-18T17:46:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/nhl-clears-mike-babcock-to-coach-edmonton-after-columbus-investigation\/"},"modified":"2026-06-18T13:46:16","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T17:46:16","slug":"nhl-clears-mike-babcock-to-coach-edmonton-after-columbus-investigation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/nhl-clears-mike-babcock-to-coach-edmonton-after-columbus-investigation\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Clears Mike Babcock to Coach Edmonton After Columbus Investigation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n

NEW YORK (AP) \u2014 The NHL announced Thursday that it has wrapped up its investigation into Mike Babcock’s stint with the Columbus Blue Jackets and determined he is eligible to be hired by the Edmonton Oilers.<\/p>

The league opened the review at the request of the NHL Players’ Association after Edmonton expressed interest in bringing Babcock back to the bench. In an official statement, the NHL said that even when viewing the circumstances in the least favorable way possible, there was no justification for preventing him from being employed.<\/p>

Whether Edmonton will formally announce Babcock as their new head coach \u2014 and when that might happen \u2014 remains to be seen. The team has been searching for a new coach after parting ways with Kris Knoblauch following a first-round playoff elimination, which came on the heels of two consecutive trips to the Stanley Cup Final.<\/p>

Babcock, 63, has been away from NHL coaching since 2019, when Toronto let him go 23 games into his fifth season leading the team. He returned to the league when the Blue Jackets brought him on board on July 1, 2023, but he stepped down that September after controversy erupted over his practice of asking players to share personal photos with him as a way to get acquainted \u2014 a move widely criticized as an invasion of their privacy.<\/p>

The NHLPA issued a statement describing the original allegations as “very concerning” and added, “Moving forward, we expect that Mr. Babcock will uphold the high standards required of NHL head coaches.”<\/p>

The NHL had initially shelved its investigation when Babcock resigned from Columbus. The inquiry was revived this week after the Stanley Cup Final concluded.<\/p>

Babcock’s coaching resume includes leading Detroit to a Stanley Cup championship in 2008 and two additional trips to the final. He also guided Canada to Olympic gold medals in both 2010 and 2014.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The NHL has completed its review of Mike Babcock’s time with the Columbus Blue Jackets and given him the green light to coach the Edmonton Oilers. The league concluded there was no basis to block his employment, even under the most unfavorable interpretation of the findings. It remains unclear whether or when Edmonton will officially bring Babcock on board.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":83715,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[836],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-83716","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/news-1781804776703.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pbtNqq-lMg","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":78675,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/edmonton-oilers-close-to-hiring-mike-babcock-as-head-coach\/","url_meta":{"origin":83716,"position":0},"title":"Edmonton Oilers Close to Hiring Mike Babcock as Head Coach","author":"Admin","date":"June 8, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The Edmonton Oilers are reportedly near a deal to hire Mike Babcock as their new head coach. Babcock, 63, left the NHL in 2023 after resigning from the Columbus Blue Jackets amid controversy over alleged improper behavior with players.","rel":"","context":"In "Sports"","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/sports\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/news-1780976164429.jpg?fit=450%2C337&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":79556,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/hockey-players-union-demands-investigation-before-babcock-coaching-hire\/","url_meta":{"origin":83716,"position":1},"title":"Hockey Players Union Demands Investigation Before Babcock Coaching Hire","author":"Admin","date":"June 10, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The NHL Players' Association is requesting the league investigate Mike Babcock's controversial coaching history before Edmonton can hire him. The veteran coach resigned from Columbus in 2023 amid criticism over his treatment of players.","rel":"","context":"In "Sports"","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/sports\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/news-1781114877677.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/news-1781114877677.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/news-1781114877677.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/news-1781114877677.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":79670,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/world-cup-tickets-spark-controversy-as-fifa-president-defends-pricing\/","url_meta":{"origin":83716,"position":2},"title":"World Cup Tickets Spark Controversy as FIFA President Defends Pricing","author":"Admin","date":"June 10, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"FIFA's leader is standing by World Cup ticket costs that can reach over $32,000 for the final, comparing them to typical North American sporting events. The 48-team tournament's general admission starts at $140, though some discounted options were later made available.","rel":"","context":"In "Sports"","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/sports\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/news-1781129378629.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/news-1781129378629.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/news-1781129378629.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/news-1781129378629.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/news-1781129378629.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":79674,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/fifa-chief-defends-world-cup-prices-chiefs-lock-in-mahomes-through-2033\/","url_meta":{"origin":83716,"position":3},"title":"FIFA Chief Defends World Cup Prices, Chiefs Lock in Mahomes Through 2033","author":"Admin","date":"June 10, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"FIFA's president is standing by World Cup ticket pricing that reaches nearly $33,000 for final seats, saying costs match North American sports standards. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs have secured quarterback Patrick Mahomes with a restructured deal worth over $500 million through 2033.","rel":"","context":"In "Sports"","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/sports\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/news-1781129380759.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/news-1781129380759.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/news-1781129380759.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/news-1781129380759.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/news-1781129380759.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":58894,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/nhl-chief-defends-controversial-ducks-overtime-goal-against-oilers\/","url_meta":{"origin":83716,"position":4},"title":"NHL Chief Defends Controversial Ducks Overtime Goal Against Oilers","author":"Admin","date":"April 28, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman strongly defended the disputed overtime goal that gave Anaheim a 4-3 victory over Edmonton in Game 4 of their playoff series. The goal by Ryan Poehling was extensively reviewed before officials determined it crossed the goal line, despite questions about whether there was clear evidence.","rel":"","context":"In "Sports"","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/sports\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1777416672691.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1777416672691.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1777416672691.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1777416672691.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":66642,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/edmonton-oilers-dismiss-coach-after-playoff-loss-following-cup-final-runs\/","url_meta":{"origin":83716,"position":5},"title":"Edmonton Oilers Dismiss Coach After Playoff Loss Following Cup Final Runs","author":"Admin","date":"May 14, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The Edmonton Oilers terminated head coach Kris Knoblauch on Thursday following a disappointing first-round playoff elimination. Despite leading the team to back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances, the franchise decided changes were necessary after this season's early exit.","rel":"","context":"In "Sports"","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/sports\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1778775704376.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1778775704376.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1778775704376.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1778775704376.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/83716","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=83716"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/83716\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/83715"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=83716"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=83716"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=83716"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}