Oilers' Risky Coaching Gamble
Edmonton Oilers Eye Controversial Mike Babcock as Coach Amidst Playoff Desperation
The Edmonton Oilers are in advanced talks to hire Mike Babcock as their next head coach, according to TSN. The move would bring back one of hockey's most controversial figures — a coach who resigned from his last job before coaching a single game after a scandal over players' personal phones.
TSN's Darren Dreger first reported on June 8 that the Oilers are consulting with the NHL Players' Association to clear any objections before making the hire official. If they proceed, the NHL will launch a formal investigation into Babcock's prior conduct, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported on June 10.
A Win-Now Gamble With McDavid's Clock Ticking
The Oilers fired Kris Knoblauch after Edmonton was eliminated in the first round of the 2026 playoffs. With Connor McDavid having just two years left on his contract, management has made a sharp turn. Owner Daryl Katz has spoken directly with Babcock to vet him personally, according to TSN.
McDavid and fellow star Leon Draisaitl have also been consulted, according to The Hockey News. Their desire to win a Stanley Cup is cited as the main reason the team is willing to look past Babcock's baggage. Babcock has 700 career NHL coaching wins. But he has not won a playoff series since 2013 — or reached a Stanley Cup Final in 15 years.
Three Scandals That Define Babcock's Reputation
Babcock's record off the ice is well-documented. In Detroit, former player Johan Franzen said Babcock was "the worst person I've ever met" and alleged verbal abuse that led to a nervous breakdown, the Detroit Free Press reported in 2019. In Toronto, Babcock asked then-rookie Mitch Marner to rank his teammates' work ethic — then shared that private list with veterans to shame them, according to The Athletic.
Most recently, Babcock was hired by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023 but resigned before coaching a single game. He had asked players to show him personal photos on their phones as a so-called "bonding exercise." The NHLPA flagged this as a gross invasion of privacy, according to Global News.
Coaches and Analysts Split on Whether Style Still Works
Former NHL coach Bruce Boudreau publicly backed the hire. "I don't have any reservations... players want to be pushed," he told The Hockey News. Boudreau argued that after a "warm and fuzzy" coach, teams often need a "disciplinarian" to find the next level.
But analyst Frank Seravalli called it a "massive tactical error," arguing the modern NHL has shifted power toward players — who are often paid far more than their coaches, according to Daily Faceoff. Analyst Craig Button warned through Edmonton Sports Talk that the hire could make Edmonton a "no-fly zone" for top free agents who want no part of a toxic work environment.
An NHL Investigation Looms Over Training Camp
The hire is not done yet. The NHL is waiting for the Oilers to finalize their decision. If they move forward, the league will immediately open a formal review of Babcock's conduct from the 2023 Columbus incident, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported. That investigation could cast a shadow over the entire offseason and into training camp.
Radio station Sports 1440 in Edmonton reported record call and text volume from fans described as "in shock" and "divided" over the hire. GM Stan Bowman, who is leading the search, faces what analysts at Oilersnation called a "legacy-defining gamble" — one that could deliver a Stanley Cup or collapse the organization.
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