Mike Babcock could potentially get an opportunity to coach again.
The former Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs and, briefly, Columbus Blue Jackets coach was cleared after an investigation by the NHL, the league said in a statement on Thursday, potentially opening the door for him to coach the Edmonton Oilers.
“The League has completed its review of Mike Babcock’s tenure in Columbus, and of certain alleged conduct associated therewith,” a statement from the NHL read. “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.”
Babcock, 63, was last in the NHL before the 2023 season when he resigned as coach of the Blue Jackets before coaching a regular-season game after Spittin’ Chiclets podcaster and former NHLer Paul Bissonnette accused him of improperly viewing players’ smartphones.
Multiple sources told Bissonnette that one of the most serious concerns was a meeting that occurred away from team facilities that included “several minutes” of looking through a phone.
The investigation the league underwent into Babcock was first launched last week, and according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, it came at the behest of the NHLPA.
This request came on the heels of the Oilers expressing interest in hiring Babcock as their next head coach, which Friedman reported could happen as soon as early next week.
“While we found the allegations of Mike Babcock’s conduct as the Columbus Blue Jackets’ head coach very concerning, the League has decided that there is no current basis on which to restrict his employment,” the NHLPA said in a statement released Thursday after the league’s decision. “Moving forward, we expect that Mr. Babcock will uphold the high standards required of NHL head coaches.”
Babcock has coached 1,301 career regular-season games with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings and Anaheim Ducks. He also has 164 post-season games under his belt.
He won the Stanley Cup with Detroit in 2008.
