The Edmonton Oilers are interested in hiring Mike Babcock, who resigned as coach of the Blue Jackets in 2023 amid allegations that he asked players to share personal photos on their phones. Kyle Robertson / USA Today
The NHL will conduct an investigation into Mike Babcock’s short stint coaching the Columbus Blue Jackets after the NHL Players’ Association on Tuesday informed the Edmonton Oilers that the union wants one before signing off on the team hiring him as coach.
The league declined to comment on the matter, but a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed that the investigation will move forward.
Babcock last coached an NHL game in November of 2019 for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs fired Babcock following a 9-10-4 start that season. He was just over four years into an eight-year contract. He was hired by the Columbus Blue Jackets in July of 2023 but resigned two months later after allegations surfaced on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast that he asked players to share personal photos on their phones with him.
The NHLPA is involved in the process of Babcock’s potential return because of those allegations brought forward by Blue Jackets players. There would have been an investigation at the time had Babcock remained coach in Columbus, but his resignation shelved the probe.
TSN’s Darren Dreger reported that there is no timeline for the investigation, which will involve interviewing players from that Columbus team, and there would be no investigation if Babcock decides to back out.
The Oilers are searching for a replacement for Kris Knoblauch, who was fired last month after a first-round loss to the Anaheim Ducks. They lost in the Stanley Cup Final with Knoblauch behind the bench the previous two seasons.
Babcock coached the Detroit Red Wings to a Stanley Cup win in 2008. He also guided Team Canada to gold medal victories at the 2010 and 2014 Olympics.
Jun 10, 2026
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