The Edmonton Oilers are free to hire Mike Babcock as their next head coach after an NHL investigation into Babcock’s departure from the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023 found no basis to keep him from returning to the league.

The investigation was conducted at the request of the NHL Players’ Association after the Oilers began expressing interest in Babcock for their coaching vacancy earlier this month.

“The league has completed its review of Mike Babcock’s tenure in Columbus, and of certain alleged conduct associated therewith,” the NHL said in a statement Thursday. “Our investigation has concluded that, even in a light least favorable to Mr. Babcock, there is no current basis to restrict his employment in the league.”

The NHLPA said in its own statement Thursday that it found allegations of Babcock’s conduct in Columbus “very concerning,” adding: “Moving forward, we expect that Mr. Babcock will uphold the high standards required of NHL head coaches.”

The Oilers are seeking to hire Babcock to replace Kris Knoblauch, who was fired in May following a first-round loss to the Anaheim Ducks. The organization was focused on finding an experienced coach with some edge and interviewed Peter Laviolette and Craig Berube after the Vegas Golden Knights denied a request to speak with Bruce Cassidy.

Babcock eventually emerged as the front-runner following conversations with veteran Edmonton players, including Connor McDavid, according to league sources.

Now that the 63-year-old has been cleared to return to the NHL, the Oilers can start finalizing a contract to make his hiring official.

The NHL investigation into Babcock’s conduct included interviews conducted over Zoom this week with players who were with the Blue Jackets during his brief time with the team. Columbus employed Babcock for just 78 days before mutually parting ways in September 2023 after allegations surfaced on the “Spittin’ Chiclets” podcast that he asked players to share personal photos on their phones with him.

While the NHLPA engaged with players at that time, a full league investigation was never conducted because of Babcock’s quick departure from Columbus. It was assumed that he was effectively retired.

Babcock is among the most accomplished coaches of his era with 700 career NHL wins — 12th on the all-time list — plus membership in the IIHF’s Triple Gold Club, with a Stanley Cup (2008), two Olympic golds (2010, 2014) and a World Championship gold (2003). He also coached Team Canada to gold at the 1997 World Juniors and 2016 World Cup of Hockey and was a three-time finalist for the Jack Adams Award as NHL coach of the year.

However, Babcock’s coaching methods also came under scrutiny over time, with multiple former players publicly disclosing perceived mistreatment. That includes Johan Franzen, who told Swedish media that Babcock verbally assaulted him during a playoff game while playing for the Detroit Red Wings in 2012, an incident that contributed to his long-term mental health struggles.

Babcock last coached an NHL game for the Toronto Maple Leafs in November 2019. The Leafs fired Babcock following a scuffling 9-10-4 start that season, ending his tenure just over four years into an eight-year contract.